Struggling with Stomach Ulcer Symptoms? Check All Medication Options Closely and Avoid Side Effects!

Go see a doctor!

It's a common practice for any of us to suspect that we may have stomach ulcers. Is this good advice? That's right.

Don't do what I do - try shortcuts. The first drug most people (like me) will try is antacid. From the general knowledge we all hope that this will fix the problem and save a costly trip to the doctor. Wrong!

Antacid drugs only provide short-term relief.

Antacids are not antidote, but many people rely on antacids. Many antacid drugs designed for "too much acid" can actually add fuel to the fire. The ingredient in antacid content, calcium carbonate, actually raises stomach acid levels 3 to 4 hours after you take it with stimulating gastric secretion.

Some antacids contain aspirin that is known to cause ulcers if used for a prolonged period. Because the antacid will never repair any ulcer, you can get the temporary defect you get, and eventually take the antacid for a long time. Results - aspirin can cause more ulcers. Bottom line - avoid antacids. They can start a cycle of pain and relief, without fixing the problem.

Conventional treatment

Great doctors, use it for what they do best - diagnose medical conditions. Proper diagnosis is the key to getting the right treatment. But do not feel compelled to take the treatment prescribed by your doctor - especially if you have been diagnosed with H Pylori bacterial infection (the cause of 90% of peptic ulcer).

The most popular treatment today is Triple Therapy - this treatment is not only intended to eradicate H Pylori but also to reduce acid levels as well, so your ulcer can heal. In theory this seems like a good idea. But in reality, stopping stomach acid production can make you more dangerous than good.

What most of us don't realize is that restricting or reducing your stomach acid production can actually leave you under nutrition. How is that? Simple, acidic levels of stomach acid are needed to help digest the protein properly and allow your body to absorb vitamins and minerals. When stomach acid is blocked or inadequate, the protein and vitamins from the foods you eat cannot be absorbed properly, and can cause you to be less nutritious, and susceptible to food poisoning, parasites, and other stomach problems, including more ulcers.

Of course, another thing that goes against Triple Therapy is the 10 day to 2 week course. It's a bit complicated and you can expect to take up to 20 pills daily - and the side effects are very unpleasant. To start, try nausea, dizziness, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, dark stools, metal taste in the mouth, and yeast infections in women. In fact, a very bad side effect is enough to put most people off the course. Side effects and are the major cause of high rates of Triple Therapy therapy failure.

So what's the choice?

Natural healing is safer in terms of side effects, and easier to take. Very few doctors will be able to tell you much about this as they are trained to prescribe drugs, and incidentally most of their post-graduate training comes from pharmaceutical companies. Even if you choose to cure naturally, you still need to get a diagnosis from your doctor.

Natural treatment for stomach ulcers can be an alternative medicine in addition to herbal medicines, and dietary supplements. Note that if you have been diagnosed with H Pylori, you will be able to treat this infection only with herbal remedies.

Some herbs can completely eradicate H Pylori. Herbs that can also stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation include alcohol, echinacea and Goldenseal. Herbal medicine provides a very safe and natural treatment for stomach ulcer, compared to the adverse side effects of drug therapy.

Always look for natural remedies that have scientific support and one that has been tested and approved by laboratory tests.

In addition to herbal medicines, other alternative medicines such as acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine and Homeopathy are all worth investigating.

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