Homeopathic treatment
We start thinking of duodenal or gastric ulcers whenever a patient constantly starts
complaining of pain in the stomach after eating. This pain may get better on eating
liquid food and inducing vomiting. The area of the stomach may become tender and
even slight pressure or touch is unbearable. The vomit may contain blood in later
stages.
According to homeopathic philosophy duodenal or gastric ulcers is a lifestyle disease
whose main causes are — food with too much spices and oil, having meal at irregular
timings, lack of exercise, stress and sedentary habits.
Some patients may complain of bloating and belching of gas. Many may say that the
food is lodged in the chest and the digestion process has painfully slowed down.
Some patients may complain of chest burn and feeling of uneasiness.
It is advised that the patient should try to figure out the food which makes him
worse and then he should avoid them.
One must not drink too much tea, coffee or aerated drinks. Lots of water should
be taken all through the day. Consumption of alcohol should be minimal.
The patient who gets angry easily or is highly emotional should start doing yoga
which really helps soothe the nerves.
There are 19 homeopathic medicines which give great relief in duodenal or gastric
ulcers. However, the correct choice and the resulting relief is a matter of experience
and right judgment on the part of the homeopath. The treatment is decided after
thorough case taking of the patient. Thus remedies are tailor made unlike allopathy
in which all patients receive the same drugs although trade name may be different.
Some of the remedies which may be used under an expert homeopath are Arsenic album,
Phosphoros, Sulphur, Iris versicolor, Kali bichromicum, Bismuthum, Argentums nitricum
and Graphitis.
Whenever cancer (malignancy) is suspected along with duodenal or gastric ulcers
then Pepsinum, Kreosotum and Nitric acid have given great relief to patients.
This is one of the diseases where homeopathy has won great laurels.
As soon as the right remedies are started the patient starts experiencing great
relief in symptoms and his or her dependence on allopathic drugs starts decreasing.
For long-lasting cure the homeopathic treatment must be taken seriously for about 8 to
14 months.
In allopathy the treatment is suppressive with antacids which does not deal with the
cause of peptic or duodenal ulcers, thus further aggravating the problem. Homeopathy aims at dealing with the cause and thus treating peptic ulcers from its root.
For online treatment, you may follow the following steps at Consult now.
What are Esophageal, Duodenal or Gastric Ulcers?
About 10% of all Americans suffer from gastric or duodenal ulcers at some point
of their life.
Peptic or stomach ulcers are break or holes in the protective lining of stomach
(gastic ulcers), duodenum (duodenal ulcers) and esophagus (esophageal ulcers). The
most common of these is duodenal ulcers. Esophageal ulcers are usually due to excessive
alcohol intake.
Duodenal ulcers are more common in males and usually occurs between 40 and 50 years
of age. Gastric ulcers are common between 60 and 70 years of age.
Causes
- Stress.
- Genetic predisposition to excessive acid secretion.
- Alcohol.
- Smoking.
- Coffee.
- Rich and fatty food.
- Recent theory says that bacterial infection especially Helicobacter pylori is responsible.
(But then all people having bacterium are not affected. It is the other factors
mentioned above which are more important. Overzealous use of antibiotics is not
recommended.)
- Elderly people are more affected.
- Type O blood group people are more prone to duodenal ulcers.
- Type A blood group people are more prone to develop cancerous gastric ulcers.
Symptoms
- There is pain in upper abdomen which is usually burning in nature.
- It usually happens early in the morning, between meals or after taking juice, alcohol
or coffee.
- It may come after taking pain killers like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and so on.
- Generally, there is relief after takin antacids.
- Bloated feeling after eating.
- Bloody or tarry, black stools.
Complications
- Anemia.
- Bleeding.
- Pancreatic problems.
- Stomach cancer.
Lab investigations
- Barium x-ray is done to spot the ulcer.
- Endoscopic examination or gastroscopy may be done.
- During endoscopy a biopsy may be done if cancer is suspected.
Consult a doctor if
- you have an ulcer and you start having symptoms of anemia such as weakness, fatigue
and paleness. The ulcer may be bleeding.
- you have an ulcer and you have stools which are bloody, black, tarry. Also there
may be vomiting which is bloody, coffee grounds like. These are indicative of bleeding.
- there are symptoms of shock like cold and clammy perspiration, extreme weakness
and fainting. Your ulcer is bleeding profusely.
- you have an ulcer and you start having acute back pain which may be due to perforating
ulcer.
Acupressure & acupuncture
Generally this therapy offers effective relief from anxiety, nervousness, stress
and gastrointestinal disorders when administered by a trained practitioner.
Yoga
Daily yoga practice helps alleviate stress and anxiety which are the major cause
of increase acid secretion in the stomach and thereby irritating ulcers.
Diet & nutrition
- Avoid overeating and don’t eat too quickly.
- Chew everything very thoroughly.
- Don’t be anxious or stressed at meal time.
What to eat
Eat foods which are rich in fibre. Fibre rich food has cancer preventing substances.
Also fibre prevents development of duodenal ulcers. Fibre in food increases mucin
secretion which helps in protection of duodenal lining.
What to reduce
- Alcohol consumption should be reduced. I think it should not be more than 2 units
per week.
- Intake of pain killers like aspirin, ibuprofen and so on should be drastically reduced.
In my view help of homeopathy should be taken to treat the cause of pain.
What to avoid
- Decrease your intake of milk. It is a myth that milk coats the stomach and thus
helps in preventing ulcers and acidity. The fact is milk increases the production
of acid in stomach.
- Foods to which you are allergic. Everyone is different; one thing which may be good
for someone may not be good for use. See what does not suit and then avoid it. Use
trial and error, preferably under the supervision of a homeopathic physician.
- Stop smoking. Nicotine is cigarretes is known to suppress the pancreas from producing
enzyemes which help neutrilize the acid in stomach.
- Do not depend on antacids for treatment of acidity and ulcers. They do not treat
the cause of increased acid secretion and in the long run actually stimulate the
body to produce more acid thus requiring more antacids. Antacids have serious side
effects like osteomalacia (softening of bones) because they deplete phosphate leveles.
- Also iron supplements should be taken in moderation because too much or prolonged
iron supplementation can cause irritation of stomach lining and ulcers.
- Added salt and hot spices.
- Coffee and soft drink.
Herbal therapy
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is effective in treatment of ulcers because it stimulates
production of mucus in stomach.
In 1 cup of water add 1 tsp of shredded licorice root. Boil for about 15 minutes.
Drink this preparation hot three times daily.