How to Get Rid of Stomach Ulcer Pain

Stomach ulcer, also known as gastric ulcer is an area in which the tissues covering the inner layer of the stomach is eroded. These are open wounds that destroy specific areas of the mucus secreting membrane lining the stomach. 80 - 90% cases of stomach ulcers occur as a consequence of H.pylori (a bacterium) infection. Other reasons for stomach ulcers are abuse of painkillers like aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs. A small ulcer is not bothersome as it usually causes mild stomach pain. This is one of the most common stomach ulcer symptoms in both men and women. However, medium to large-sized ulcers are definitely troublesome and trigger pain that is severe, especially on an empty stomach. Antibiotic therapy supplemented with acid suppressing drugs works to cure the ulcers.

Antibiotics
As bacterial infection is the main culprit behind ulceration in the stomach, antibiotics form the mainstay of the treatment. To promote healing of ulcers as well as pain elimination, destroying the bacteria is important, which is achieved by putting the person on antibiotics. The time period of an antibiotic course will depend on the severity of the infection but usually taking the medication for 14 days is enough to overcome the infection. Antibiotics that are commonly prescribed to stomach ulcer patients are given below:

• Amoxicillin
• Tetracycline
• Metronidazole
• Clarithromycin

Acid Blockers
In order to promote breakdown of ingested food, the body stimulates production of acid in the stomach. This release of stomach acid is essential for proper digestion. However, ulcers exposed to stomach acids become irritated and cause moderate to severe stomach pain. In such circumstances, the amount of stomach acid being produced has to be reduced in order to alleviate the discomfort. Some of the acid blockers recommended in the treatment of stomach ulcer pain are given below:

• Famotidine (Pepcid)
• Ranitidine (Zantac)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Nizatidine (Axid)

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
Drugs that belong to the class of PPIs also help to reduce stomach ulcer pain. Extensive study of the anatomy of the stomach has revealed that four kinds of cells are seen covering the inner surface of the stomach. The parietal cells do the job of releasing hydrochloric acid to promote digestion. PPIs curb this action of parietal cells in an attempt to bring down stomach acid production. With the decline in the amount of stomach acid produced, the ulcer pain also subsides. Some of the common PPIs are mentioned below:

• Acipex
• Prevacid
• Nexium

Antacids
To promote ulcer healing, it is essential to nullify the effect of stomach acids. This can also be achieved through antacids, medications that are formulated for neutralizing stomach acids. In other words, they raise the pH value of the stomach to reduce the action of the acid. This neutralizing effect of antacids provides immediate reduce ulcer pain. Some of the antacids prescribed are given below:

• Mylanta
• Maalox
• Gelusil

Although medication is helpful to stop stomach ulcer pain, they work best when it is complemented with a proper diet. Certain foodstuffs and beverages can worsen stomach ulcer pain as well as prolong the healing time of ulcers. Drinking alcoholic beverages actually increases the amount of stomach acid being produced, in turn elevating the pain and the recovery time. Ulcer healing time may also lengthen substantially if the habit of smoking is not stopped.

Stomach Ulcer Diet
Patients are advised to follow a stomach ulcer diet that mainly involves avoiding high acidic foods and citrus juices of fruits like pineapple, oranges and grapefruit. Although tomatoes are a good source of antioxidants, stomach ulcer patients have to stay away from this vegetable as it is highly acidic. Anything highly acidic has to be discarded from the diet. In simple words, high acid foods have no place in a stomach ulcer diet. Not eating spicy foods is also important to manage ulcer pain effectively.

On the whole, getting rid of stomach ulcer pain is possible only if patients take the aforementioned prescription medications in the right dosage as well as implement a diet that essentially involves elimination of high acid foods.