Peptic Ulcer

🌿 Overview

About 15% of the U.S. population have peptic ulcers; half are undiagnosed. Gastric ulcers occur 2.5 times more often in men than women (ages 40–55); duodenal ulcers occur 4 times more in men (ages 25–40) and are 10 times more common than gastric ulcers. The ulcer forms when stomach acid (HCl) erodes the protective lining — either because too much acid is produced, or because protective mucus is insufficient. Helicobacter pylori bacteria also play a key role. Bleeding ulcers cause coffee-ground vomit and are emergencies. Milk is NOT the answer — the calcium in milk triggers more HCl production.

Common signs

• Chronic burning or gnawing pain in the stomach — often begins 45–60 minutes after eating or at night
• Pain sometimes awakens at 1–2 a.m.
• Drinking water or eating relieves pain temporarily
• Pain just below the breastbone, sometimes radiating to the back
• Possible headaches, choking sensation, lower-back pain
• Coffee-ground vomit or dark stools = EMERGENCY (bleeding ulcer)

🔎 Why it happens

Common causes and triggers — spotting yours is often the first step to relief.

• Excess stomach acid (HCl) eroding the protective stomach/intestinal lining
• Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection (primary bacterial cause)
• Stress, anxiety, and nervous strain — directly increase HCl production
• Aspirin, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs (increase HCl and cause stomach bleeding)
• Smoking — one puff lowers esophageal sphincter pressure to zero
• High sugar diet — dramatically increases HCl production
• Hypoglycemia — hypoglycemics produce too much HCl and are prone to ulcers
• Exposure to food allergens can cause stomach bleeding

✅ What to do

Gentle, practical steps you can take at home — start at the top.

1. For rapid pain relief: drink a large glass of water — dilutes and flushes stomach acids
2. VitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More → U (anti-ulcer vitamin): drink 1 quart of fresh, RAW cabbage juice daily (add carrot juice for flavor); raw cabbage and alfalfa are richest sources; boiling destroys it
3. Eat several small meals; potatoes are ideal — soothing and alkaline
4. Dark green leafy vegetables; soft foods if severe (potatoes, squash, bananas, yams)
5. FiberThe part of plant foods your body can't fully break down — it keeps digestion moving. More → in the diet keeps food in the stomach longer and reduces duodenal ulcers
6. DGL licorice (deglycyrrhizinated licorice): 1–2 chewable tablets 1–2 hours before bed — increases protective mucin and fights H. pylori without raising blood pressure
7. Glutamine (500 mg): principal energy source for stomach and intestinal wall cells
8. Chamomile teaA warm drink made by steeping herbs in hot water. How to make a tea →: contains quercetin, catechin, and apigenin that inhibit H. pylori
9. VitaminA natural substance your body needs in small amounts to stay healthy, like vitamin C or D. More → A (2,000 IU), zinc (15 mg), copper (1 mg) for healing
10. Aloe vera, bilberry, flax, catnip, goldenseal, bayberry, and myrrh all support healing
11. Complete rest and relaxation from pressing problems — stress is a direct cause
12. If ulcer pain: apply an ice bag to the abdomen just above the navel, or between the shoulder blades
13. SELF-TEST: when having pain, swallow 1 Tbsp. lemon juice — if pain disappears, you have too LITTLE acid (not too much); if it worsens, you have an overacid stomach

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🍽️ Eating to help

Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.

Favor these

• Raw cabbage juice (1 quart daily) — richest source of vitamin U (anti-ulcer)
• Potatoes, squash, bananas, yams (soothing and alkaline)
• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Whole grains (millet, brown rice)
• Fiber-rich foods

Go easy on

• Cow's milk (temporarily neutralizes acid but causes a rebound surge — now known to worsen ulcers)
• Sugar and white bread (dramatically increase HCl)
• Salt (stomach and intestinal irritant)
• Fried foods, animal fats, chocolate, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol
• Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs — cause stomach bleeding

The old sippy diet (milk and cream) is now discarded — calcium in milk triggers gastrin, which increases HCl production. A bleeding ulcer (coffee-ground vomit, tarry stools) is a life-threatening emergency.

💬 Ask Remy about Peptic Ulcer