What Causes Ulcers?

• Anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen are thought to contribute to the formations of ulcers, as well as stress, caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. All of these substances affect the protective mucosa of the stomach lining. The University of Maryland Medical Center website states that 80 percent of gastric ulcers are caused by this bacteria, and 90 percent of duodenal ulcers.
  
  

Symptoms of Duodenal Ulcer

• A gnawing or burning sensation is one of the key symptoms of duodenal ulcer. Less common symptoms are belching, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, weight loss and weakness. Complications of duodenal ulcer can include bleeding, perforation of the intestine, and narrowing and obstruction of the duodenum.
  
  

Treatment of Duodenal Ulcer

• Duodenal ulcer is usually diagnosed by barium x-ray, by endoscopy and by blood tissue testing of the stomach. An antibiotic is prescribed that the patient takes for a number of weeks. In very stubborn cases, surgery to repair the ulcerated area may be necessary.
  
  

Diet & Duodenal Ulcer

• Historically, diet was thought to be a major contributor to the formation of duodenal ulcers, and great care was given to making sure that ulcer patients followed a bland diet. Since the discovery of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, however, physicians believe that a normal diet is perfectly suitable for ulcer patients. Some patients, however, find that they have fewer recurrences of discomfort if they do follow a bland diet. In that case, it is probably best that patients follow their inclinations and keep to a diet that has been proven to work well for them.
  
  

Suggested Diet for Duodenal Ulcer

• The best diet to avoid duodenal ulcers or reduce their incidence is a high-fiber diet, rich in fruits and vegetables. There has been no evidence that different kinds of fats or proteins have any bearing on duodenal ulcer occurrence. Reduction of caffeine and alcohol is advisable, as well as a reduction in salt which has been shown to contribute to activity of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Foods high in vitamin A, such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli are advisable, as well as those with the healing amino acid L-glutamine, such as cheddar cheese, almonds and sunflower seeds.