Peptic ulcer - World Class Holistic Homeopathy Treatment
DIGESTIVE DISORDERS - Peptic ulcer
– Burning volcano in abdomen
“Eat to live and don’t live to eat” – We have to follow this
principle for a healthy life. Nowadays fast foods, carbonated drinks and
tin-packed foods, containing preservatives, add fuel to the hurried,
tension-filled life to form peptic ulcer. Also, people now take a lot of
medicines like a small meal for their ailments (mostly after 40), which
irritate the stomach and induce peptic ulcer.
The stomach secretes digestive juices which help in digestion of food.
Digestive juices contain gastric acid (hydrochloric acid) and the enzyme
Pepsin. The stomach and the duodenum digest every food item which passes
through them to absorb nutrients from it, but the duration and digestion
quality differs from person to person. For example – water passes immediately
within 10 minutes as no digestion is needed. A pressed potato will be digested
within 20 minutes in the stomach. Vegetable meal takes nearly 45 minutes to one
hour.
But non-vegetarian diet like meat, chicken, fish, etc., will take nearly 1½
hours for digestion. Cold weather and taking ice-cream after food, delays the
process of digestion for some more time. So only parties serving ice-creams
finally as deserts, will give a satisfied feeling for a long time as if a heavy
diet is taken. If digestion cannot be performed due to toxicity, irritation or
overload, then the stomach and intestine emits everything as diarrhoea or
vomiting. If irritation is more, diarrhoea sets in whereas in the case of
chronic infection or long-standing worries, the intestines will become dull
which in turn produces constipation. If there is excessive secretion of
digestive juice, it will erode the surface of the stomach or duodenum to form
ulcers.
Peptic (pertaining to digestion) ulcer is small sores in the lining of the
stomach or the duodenum (first part of intestine) due to irritants (may be
allergic, chemical or mechanical or drugs) or infection. It can also occur
in the oesophagus and other parts of small intestine.
Types of ulcer
If the stomach is ulcerated, it is called gastric ulcer
and if the duodenum is involved, it is duodenal ulcer. Commonly people say
“gastritis” for generalised ulcer and gas trouble.
Incidence
Incidence of gastric ulcer peaks in the age group of 50-60. The male,
female ratio is almost equal. Incidence of duodenal ulcers peaks in the age
group of 20-50 years. But the male, female ratio is 2:1. Also occurrence of
peptic ulcer is more common in people who have ‘O’ blood group. The incidence
of ulcer is also more in urban than in rural areas, may be due to eating and
sleeping habits and the hurried, tense life.
Causes of ulcer are as follows:
Genetic – ulcer has been identified to run in families
Mind – Stress and strain also cause ulcer. Its incidence is more
in sensitive, anxious, emotional people and who think a lot because of which
acid secretion will be continuous
Foods – Spicy and chilly foods can cause ulcers
Toxic – Chemicals or decayed foods may produce ulcer formation.
Mechanical – Any hard food substance or any investigative
procedures.
Habits – Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and irregular
dietary habit
Neurological – Peptic ulcer may be due to return of foods.
In-coordination of nerves may lead to relaxation of pylorus which may permit
bile (secretion of liver) into the stomach, causing gastric ulcer. Also
relaxation on oesophageal end may produce gastro oesophageal reflux and produce
ulcer in oesophagus, which is felt as heartburn. If the digestive tract obeys
the rule of one way, then there won’t be any ulcer formation. Also Vagus nerve,
which innervates the stomach, stimulates excessive acid secretion when we are
anxious, and this may cause ulcers
Increased acid (hydrochloric acid) secretion – It is noticed in many people with duodenal ulcers, where there is
abundance of digestive juices secretion from the stomach, that it may be due to
nerve stimulation or local factors (diseases of the stomach or diets) or
hormonal factors (tumors of thyroid, pancreas & adrenal glands)
Infectious diseases which cause increased urea and bacteria level in blood
Drugs – long-term use of Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as
aspirin and ibuprofen which are the main culprits of ulcers. Infection – gram
negative bacteria – Helicobacter pylori – has been identified in all cases of
ulcers. But not all people infected by H. Pylori develop ulcers. So there is no
certain answer for the cause of ulcer.
Symptoms
The symptoms and pain of both types of ulcer
tend to differ. The ulcer size may vary and may be multiple. But, usually, it
is superficial and if persistent, erodes the muscle layer to perforate.
Clinically, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, headache, blood vomiting, pain in
abdomen, constipation or diarrhea are the symptoms.
Gastric ulcer
Usually sufferers are above age 40
Periodical pain occurs immediately after food and finally pain persists
Pain is felt over the umbilicus and left to midline and no radiation of pain is
felt
Pain is relieved by vomiting or alkali foods
Fear of eating due to pain
Weight loss will be there due to reduced intake
Nausea and vomit that looks like coffee grounds
Hametemesis (blood vomiting) may be present
Sensation of feeling fullness, indigestion and heartburn may be noticed
immediately after eating. Patient often complains about gas trouble or belching
Duodenal ulcer
Usually sufferers are between age group of 20-50.
Periodicity of pain is very marked
Pain is felt above umbilicus and right to the midline and it may radiate to
back
Pain appears 1-2 hours after food i.e. Pain is felt when the stomach gets
empty, so the pain is often felt during middle of the night or sleep which
disturbs sleep
Pain is usually better after taking food
No weight loss will be there since patient feels better with eating and goes on
eating
Bloated feeling of intestinal gas
Black or bloody stools (malena) may be present
Diagnosis of an ulcer
can be easily made only with endoscopy.
Examination of the tender abdomen will also guide us for diagnosis
X-Rays of stomach and duodenum and series of Barium meal X-rays are to be taken
to rule out obstruction or strictures
Biopsy can be done through endoscope – to rule out serious disease like cancer
and for presence of H. pylori
Complications
·
Bleeding (hematemesis or malena) may occur when the
mucosa gets irritated and opened with erosions
·
Perforation causing peritonitis and septic conditions may
occur in the case of chronic inflammatory ulcers when the infection deepens
·
Obstruction may occur due to stricture formation caused
by chronic peptic ulcer
Treatment
Should aim for relief the symptoms with healing and preventing from further
recurrences. Usually, an ulcer will take 3-6 weeks to heal and it won’t produce
any scar. Mostly, many people do not care about their stomach disorders. They
temporarily manage their complaints such as gas trouble, poor appetite and pain
with antacids. There is a study which shows antacids will produce more sodium
in blood which in turn gives risk to heart attack or heart disorders. When
suffering is constant, some people give no importance to chest burn or heartburn.
Also, everyone should be aware that the same set of symptoms may occur in the
case of ischaemic heart disease – heart attack – so regular check-up of BP and
ECG is a must.
Prevention
is the first care than cure to reduce gastric irritation and acid secretion.
DO
·
Masticate well and swallow the food.
·
Have the diet in a relaxed manner, without any hurry
TAKE
·
Easily digestible, oil free diet to reduce work load of
stomach and intestine
·
Diet not more than 3/4th of the stomach
·
Small meals often to utilise the acid load in the stomach
·
Water before and after meal
·
Nutritious diet at regular interval or at regular time
AVOID
·
Tension and hurried life
·
Habits of smoking, drinking alcohol, chewing tobacco and
overeating which increases acid secretion of the stomach
·
Hunger – which denotes acid load, avoid it by taking
small meals often.
·
Full meal, oily diet, pickles and fatty snacks before bed
time
·
Food containing high spices, chilies, pepper, sausages
·
Dry bread, cakes and cookies
·
High fat content nuts and biscuits
·
Aerated drinks, coffee and tea
·
Milk products
·
Cabbage, onions, garlic, cauliflower, tomatoes – if not
tolerated
·
Drugs like NSAIDs – pain killers (for example. – aspirin)
There are lots of theories and research about diet, milk products, citrus
fruit drinks like lemon, grapes, oranges, pineapples and antacids. Milk and
cream feedings should not be used as antacid therapy. Some will be better with
one and some may get worsened with the same. But it is better to avoid those
things which bother one much. Likewise some say that betel nut chewing improves
digestion, but if the calcium content increases, that will itself produce more
ulceration. Generally, a fibre content diet like greens, vegetables and fruits
are good for digestion and also for the general health.
Medicines
Peptic ulcers will get worse if they are not cared for by taking the right
food, and sticking to the timings and treated well. In Allopathy, they depend
mainly on antacids which give very temporary relief.
Antibiotics are prescribed to kill the bacteria H pylori. But recurrence is
common.
Acid-suppressing drugs like H2 blockers (which block histamine) and proton pump
(which suppresses the acid production) are used.
Surgery
In coordination with diet regimen management and medications most of the
ulcers get healed. If they don’t respond and have other complications, surgery
is advised as a last resort where they remove the area of ulceration.
Homeopathic approach
Peptic ulcers can be treated successfully in Homeopathy without any
side-effects. First right medicine for ulcer is right food at a regular time.
The second thing is a relaxed, tension less life. The third thing is only the
so-called medicines. If we depend only on the third one (medicines), then we
have to permanently depend on it and also have to suffer with the disease
always or recurrently, I.e. we have to change the tension life with correct,
timely meal or otherwise cure is impossible.
Treating peptic ulcer is tough, since the digestive tract cannot take rest
for healing and is also often exposed to irritants which hinder the healing
process. In Homeopathy, besides treating the disease, it also improves general
resistance, to avoid recurrences. For selecting the right drug, Homeopathy
gives importance to the character of onset of symptoms, aggravating or
precipitating factors, and characteristic symptoms of patients, relieving
factors and associated symptoms.
Homeopathic treatment can give permanent relief from peptic ulcer. The
earlier you treat, you get speedier and complete cure. Ulcers take time to
heal, so medicines should be continued for long time, even if the pain goes
away.
Medicines commonly used for peptic ulcers are – Belladonna, Borax,
Colocynth, Bryonia, Dulcamara, Nux Vom, Symphytum, Hydrastis, Arg Nit, Acid
nit, Aethusa, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Kali Bich, Lycopodium, Carbo Veg, Anti crud,
Calc carb, Nat mur, Nat phos, China, etc. These Medicines should be taken under
the advice and diagnosis of a qualified Homeopath.
for
new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-984-319-1011 (Mob /
Whatsapp)
Clinic : +91-452-233-8833 |
E-mail: drcheena@gmail.com
(Disclaimer: The contents of this column are for informational
purpose only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional
healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of
healthcare professional for any health problem or medical condition.)