If you have a burning sensation in your stomach or a feeling of acidity for a prolonged period of time, chances are that you are suffering from ulcers. The term ulcer is used to describe a wound in the stomach, esophagus, duodenum or some other area of the intestine, brought about when the lining of the stomach is eroded and the stomach’s digestive juices eat the tender tissue beneath the protective layer.
Types of ulcers
- Gastric ulcer: these are seen more frequently in women after the age of 50 and they occur in stomach. The symptoms are burning or hungry feeling in the stomach or under the chest bone.
- Duodenal ulcer: these are seen in men between the ages of 20 and 40. They occur in the lower upper portion of the intestine.
Symptoms
- A burning pain in the upper abdomen, which is relieved by eating.
- Uncomfortable hunger pains during the night.
- Pain that strikes right after eating.
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Treatment
The goal of the treatment is to reduce the amount of irritating acid in the stomach to allow the ulcer to heal. Most ulcers can be treated with medications. However diet and lifestyle play a central role in the management of ulcers. The modern diet rich in saturated fats, refined products, tea, coffee, alcohol, spices and fried foods, all stimulate the production of acid. This is the main reason for the rise of stomach disorders today.
In the past, bland diets were viewed as the successful treatment to the ulcers. However, the view has changed now. Research has shown that these diets are of little or no benefit and a better approach is through the individual’s free choice of food, omitting only those foods that cause discomfort.