What Guys Are Saying About Their Health

peak sexual functioning  healthy hair  high blood pressure  heart-healthy lifestyle  mental edge  hard abs  tight butt  aging with style  Alzheimer's Disease  kidney stones  diabetes  treating depression  appetite control  improving sleep  stress management  back pain  ulcers  avoiding indigestion  gallbladder disease  osteoarthritis  skin cancer  prostate cancer  managing cholesterol  colon cancer  gastroesophageal reflux disease  back to introduction

A lot of guys expect that stomach ulcers are an inevitable fact of midlife. Happily, this is not the case, as there are several easy ways to elude ulcers. What's more, should they develop, there are also proven strategies for healing stomach ulcers.

Ulcers are sores that form in the digestive tract. These cause varying degrees of inflammation and pain, but can be healed through one or more approaches. Some causes of ulcers include bacterial infection and negative reactions to food and medications. These can be easily resolved with the correct medication and changes in dietary habits. Important note: Over-the-counter stomach antacids can trigger a rebound rise in acid, meaning they may actually make ulcers feel worse! What's more, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs attack the stomach lining and can lead to ulcers.

Action Rx:

• Avoid Heavy-hitters: Remember, dietary habits can play a strong role in ulcer development. To markedly lessen ulcer risk, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals, as these all overstimulate stomach acid production.

• Eat Fiber: Foods for preventing ulcers include fiber-high foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains (brown rice, whole grain breads, etc.) and beans. Some studies suggest that soluble fiber may help heal ulcers.

• Try Acidophilus: Foods with strong antibacterial elements, such as yogurt with lactobacillus acidophilus cultures, or supplements containing the same organisms, have also been found to help prevent and heal ulcerous sores.

• Consume Cabbage: Especially soothing foods include raw cabbage and cabbage juice. Cabbage contains the amino acid glutamine, which promotes blood flow to the stomach and helps nourish its lining. So go chew on some cabbage for a while!

• Try Papin: FYI, the protease enzyme papain has been found in some studies to prevent indigestion and neutralize the irritating effects of aspirin and other drugs. Some research also indicates that papain helps prevent ulcers. Papain comes in nutritional supplement form; it's available at many supermarkets, drug, and health food stores.

More Info at ThirdAge
Health Encyclopedia: Ulcers