Duodenal or Gastric Ulcer

Supportive Management

  • Eat small, frequent meals. This doesn’t help in healing ulcers, but it helps in minimizing symptoms such as pain.
  • Include vitamin-rich food (especially Vitamins A and C) in your diet as they help in healing ulcers. Vitamin A-rich food include carrots, dark leafy vegetables, peach, apricot, bell pepper, fish, and liver. Vitamin C-rich food include orange, bell pepper, dark leafy vegetables, berries, tomato, papaya, broccoli, guava, and kiwi.
  • Eat food that kill pylori bacteria such as broccoli and garlic.
  • Take food with probiotics (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species) such as Yakult, yogurt, and aged cheese.
  • Avoid drinking milk. Milk causes temporary pain relief from ulcers, but later on, it causes excessive production of acid, which increases ulcer pain.
  • Avoid gastric irritants such as alcohol, caffeine, regular and decaffeinated coffee, tea, cola beverages, black pepper, chili powder, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, peppermint, and fatty and fried food.
  • Avoid using pain relievers which are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Manage stress levels.
    • Have plenty of rest. Sleep for 7-8 hours every night in a dark room, as melatonin – a powerful anti-oxidant that promotes healing through boosting the immune function – are found to be produced in higher amounts when sleeping in darkness. If sleeping in a dark room is not possible, wear an eye patch instead.
    • Take breaks from stressful situations (e.g. go for a short walk).
    • Stay away from situations that induce stress (e.g. avoid driving along congested roads, set the time advanced by 5-10 minutes to avoid stressing over being late).
    • Schedule time for hobbies and other enjoyable recreational activities. Every day, do one pleasurable activity, even just for 15 minutes. The perception of a pleasurable activity may vary from one person to another – it’s something personal. Pleasurable activities may involve simple activities such as writing a journal entry, reading a favorite book, watching a favorite movie or series, listening or singing to favorite songs, walking in nature, playing favorite sports, or taking up a new hobby (e.g. sewing, knitting, cooking).
    • Learn to say no. Acknowledge own limits.
    • Spend time with loved ones.
    • Let go of grudges. Learn to forgive.
    • Express gratitude.
    • Perform relaxation exercises (e.g. deep breathing, music therapy, meditation).

      Deep breathing:

      • Find a quiet and comfortable place where you can be alone with yourself.
      • Sit upright in bed or chair, and find a comfortable position.
      • Place one or both hands over the abdomen, just below the ribs.
      • Deeply breathe in through the nose, while keeping mouth closed. Breathe in for a count of four.
      • Feel the abdomen rise with each inhalation, and as far as possible.
      • Through a pursed-lip, breathe out. Breathe out for a count of seven.
      • Feel the abdomen sink with each exhalation.
      • Perform deep-breathing exercises for 5-10 minutes at a time, and as many times each day.

      Music therapy:

      • Choose a soothing, therapeutic song. Research findings indicate that music with slower tempo (60 beats per minute) induces a calming, relaxing effect. Sounds of nature (drops of rain, flowing waterfalls) are also relaxing. But the best relaxation music ultimately depends on each person’s preference – whichever music one finds relaxing (albeit upbeat or moderately loud) – may be used for music therapy.
      • Relax before and during the music therapy by performing deep breathing exercises (see instructions above).
      • Listen actively to the music. Feel the music. Focus your mind on the music, get lost in it – listen to every beat and every silence in between. Let the music’s mood influence yours.

      Meditation:

      Meditation is a calming activity which restores inner peace. It brings the body into a deep state of relaxation and produces a peaceful mind. It enables one to redirect the mind away from thoughts that bring stress, anxiety, or tension.

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Herbal Medicine

Turmeric Decoction

  • Boil a thumb-sized piece of turmeric rhizome in a glass of water. Drink decoction 3 times a day.

Sabila (Aloe Vera) Juice

  • Mix small amounts (around a teaspoon) of aloe vera juice (extract juice from the leaves of the plant) with water. Take after meals.  Avoid prolonged use as it may result to formation of hemorrhoids.

Banana Fruit

  • Preparations:
    • None – eat three ripe bananas a day
    • Mix the banana fruit with milk or sugar to make an emulsion.
    • Cut the bananas into thin slices. Sun-dry or heat them in the oven. Grind the dried bananas into fine powder. Mix two tablespoons of the banana powder with a tablespoon of honey. Take this mixture 3 times a day for a week.

Cabbage Juice

  • Cut into small parts one half raw cabbage and two medium-piece of carrots. Place them inside a blender and extract the juice. Drink a half-cup of the juice before meals and at bedtime. Take daily. Use fresh juice each time.

Coconut Water or Coconut Milk

  • Take coconut water or coconut milk liberally or as tolerated. Do this for a week.

Recommendation

Consult doctor immediately if you are having:

  • If you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms:
    • Abdominal pain so severe you can’t sit still or find a comfortable position
    • Blood in vomit (may appear like coffee grounds)
    • Bloody or black stools
    • Unintentional weight loss

Consult doctor:

  • For appropriate diagnosis and management of condition.

Feedback

Please note that the information provided by this tool is provided solely for educational purposes and is not a qualified medical opinion. This information should not be considered advice or an opinion of a doctor or other health professional about your actual medical state, and you should see a doctor for any symptoms you may have. If you are experiencing a health emergency, you should call your local emergency number immediately to request emergency medical assistance.