Symptoms
The most common symptoms of peptic ulcer are sharp and severe pain and discomfort in the upper central abdomen. The pain is commonly described as burning or gnawing in character. Gastric ulcer pain usually occurs an hour after meals and rarely at night. Duodenal ulcer pain usually occurs between meals when the stomach is empty and is relieved by food, especially milk. It is often described as hunger pain and gets the sufferer out of bed between 2 and 4 a.m. As the disease progresses there is distension of the stomach due to excessive flatulence, besides mental tension, insomnia and gradual weakening of the body. It may also cause constipation with occassional blood in the stools. If an ulcer bleeds slowly, there is anaemia.
A really severe peptic ulcer can lead to serious complications like haemorrhage, perforation or obstruction of the orifice through which the food passes from the stomach to the intestine. Unless treated in time, it can lead to massive bleeding and shock, or even death.

Causes
Peptic ulcers result from hyperacidity which is a condition caused by an increase in hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This strong acid secreted by the cells lining the stomach affects much of the break-down of food. It can be potentially dangerous and, under certain circumstances, it may eat its way through the lining of the stomach or duodenum producing, first , irritation of the stomach wall and eventually an ulcer.
Dietetic indiscretion, like overeating, taking of heavy meals or highly spiced foods, coffee, alcohol and smoking are the main factors contributing to this condition. Alcohol is a very powerful acid producer and has a burning effect on the stomach lining. Coffee also increases the production of acid especially when it is taken black. The ingestion of certain drugs particularly aspirin, food poisoning, infections like influenza and septicaemia and gout may also cause ulcers.
Emotional stress or nervous tension also plays a major role in the formation of ulcers. The stomach is a highly sensitive organ and nervous activity can slow down or speed up digestion. Those given to excessive worry, anger, tension, jealousy, and hurry are thus more prone to suffer from ulcers than those who are easy-going and relaxed. Ulcer patients are usually highly strung, irritable and ambitious people who live very active lives. They generally take on many things at one time and worry about the results of their various projects.
Certain occupations appear to predispose individuals to peptic ulcers. Doctors and those in responsible positions in industry such as business executive are particularly prone to it. Presumably stress and strain, hurried and irregular meals, and inadequate mastication are important contributory factor in their cases.

Dietetic Cure
Persons who treat themselves with antacids may do themselves more harm than good. Though they may get initial relief because the tablet neutralises the acid, the stomach response by producing even more acid because the basic cause of the hyperacidity has not been dealt with. Ulcers can be best treated by natural methods.
Milk, cream, butter, fruits and fresh, raw and boiled vegetables, natural foods and natural vitamin supplements are the best diet for an ulcer patient. The fruits recommended are bananas, mangoes, must melon and dates. Such a diet will progressively reduce the acidity in the stomach. A low-salt diet can greatly help in curing hyperacidity and ulcers. Those in an advanced state of the disease should avoid whole grains, nuts and whole grain bread and cereals in the beginning and should take only milk and bananas. Milk should be taken in moderate quantities - about 250 to 300 milliliters - every hour. Bananas are highly beneficial. They are said to contain an unidentified compound called, perhaps jokingly, vitamin U (against ulcers). Well-cooked millet and cooked white rice with milk can be added later.
Diet is of utmost importance in the treatment of ulcer. The diet should be so arranged as to provide adequate nutrition to afford rest to the disturbed organs, to maintain continuous neutralisation of the gastric acid, to inhibit the production of acid and to reduce mechanical and chemical irritation.
Almond milk made from balanced almonds in a blender is very beneficial as it binds the excess of acids in the stomach and supplies high quality protein. Raw goat’s milk is also highly-beneficial. It actually helps to heal the peptic ulcer.
Raw fruits and vegetables should be avoided for a few weeks, as many of these are especially irritating. Potatoes, squashes, yams and raw bananas are, however, well tolerated. All sour fruits should be avoided, especially citrus fruits.
Certain foods definitely do not agree in cases of gastric complaints and should be completely eliminated. These include fried and greasy foods which are always difficult to digest and require very efficient stomach and liver action ; flesh foods which require a high amount of acid in the stomach for their digestion and acid causes more pain and flatulence in the sensitive stomach ; condiments, preserves and sugar which are stomach irritants ; and tea, coffee, tobacco and alcohol which create an acidic reaction in the stomach. The healing capacity and vitality of the body will increase if these harmful and unsuitable foods are avoided.
How rapidly the ulcer heals will largely depend on the correct assortment of essential amino acids and sufficient ascorbic acid. Iron absorption depends on an acid medium and is facilitated by the presence of ascorbic acid. The neutralisation of stomach acid, therefore, interferes with iron absorption. Several studies have shown that vitamin E and A, especially taken together, have not only a protective effect against development of ulcers caused by stress, but also a curative effect on existing ulcers.
The observance of certain ulcers by an ulcer patient with regard to eating habits are essential. He should never eat when tired or emotionally upset, nor when he is dry. He should chew every morsel thoroughly. He should eat only natural foods and take food in as dry form as possible. Meals must be small and frequent. All foods and drinks which are either too hot or too cold should be avoided.
The patient should drink eight to ten glasses of water every day. However, he should not drink water during or with meals, but only half an hour before or one hour after he has eaten. In case of haemorrhage in the stomach, a rectal enema should be administered four times daily with water temperature at 110 o F to 115 o F. In case of abdominal or stomach pain, hot packs will be placed on the abdomen with water temperature at 120 o F. Hot pack should also be placed between the shoulder blades.
Daily massage and deep breathing exercises also help. Above all, the patient must try to rid himself of his worries and stay cheerful. He should also cultivate regularity in his habits - be it work, exercise or rest

[index]