Prevention and Natural Treatment Help Acid Indigestion and Stomach Ulcers

Thursday, February 18, 2010 by: Fleur Hupston
Tags: stomach ulcers, remedies, health news

(NewsTarget) Acid indigestion and heartburn usually come about due to an overindulgence in heavy, oily food and/or drinking too much alcohol or coffee. Ulcers can also develop as a result of an excessive use of aspirin and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. The stomach then produces extra acid which can cause a burning feeling in the stomach or mid-chest. When acid indigestion is frequent or lasts for a long time, this could be a warning sign of a stomach ulcer, which can be life threatening. Learn how to prevent and treat this condition naturally.

What Exactly is a Stomach Ulcer?

An ulcer is a small erosion in the gastrointestinal tract which causes a chronic, dull pain in the pit of the stomach. As with acid indigestion, the pain seems to lessen when food is eaten or if the person concerned drinks a lot of water. Pain worsens after an hour or so after eating, especially if fatty or highly spiced food or alcohol has been consumed.

An examination by a medical professional will reveal whether or not a person with frequent stomach pain has an ulcer or not. If the ulcer is bad enough, it can cause vomiting, sometimes with fresh blood. A tear in the wall of the stomach can cause peritonitis.

Prevention and Treatment

Eat small meals. Snack frequently in place of eating giant portions of food and avoid foods that seem to cause pain. Often foods that exacerbate pain include carbonated drinks, sugar, alcohol and certain spices or curried food.

Sleep propped up on cushions if the pain is worse at night when lying flat.

Drink plenty of water between meals. Don't drink milk as it causes an increase in stomach acid which can make an ulcer worse.

Stop smoking. Tobacco increases stomach acid and can exacerbate stomach problems.

If aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medication has been taken excessively, stop this at once.

Learn to calm down. Stress, anger and tension increase the production of acid in the stomach.

Aloe vera is a plant that has properties that can heal and calm ulcers. Studies have shown that patients have had immediate relief and complete recovery from episodes of acute peptic ulcers. The most natural way of taking aloe vera is to simply chop up the spongy leaves into small pieces, soak them in water overnight and then drink one glass of the slimy, bitter water every 2 hours.

http://wholeleaf.com/aloeverainfo/aloeverape...
http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/natura...
"Where There is No Doctor", by David Werner, pages 128, 129 - 1994 edition

About the author

Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for Natural News and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time.