5 natural remedies to treat and prevent ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori

Today the vast majority of ulcers are linked to bacterium Helicobacter pyloripresent in 96% of patients with duodenal ulcer and in 83% of those who suffer a gastric ulcer.

The bacterium, capable of surviving in the extreme acidity of the stomach, can penetrate its mucosal lining and weaken it or cause local inflammation.

With that cells of the gastric wall become more sensitive to the damaging effects of acid and digestive enzymes. The bacteria can also stimulate the stomach to produce more acid.

If they fail defense mechanisms of the digestive tract against acid secretionsthese secretions can eat away at the lining, forming an ulcer.

When develops in the stomach there is talk of gastric ulcerand when it occurs in the duodenum, the portion of the small intestine closest to the stomach duodenal ulcer.

“This is a very common disorder given that between 10 and 20% of the population develops an ulcer of this type throughout his life”, highlights Dr. Pedro Javier Cañones Garzón, treasurer of the Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians.

Apart from the presence of the bacteria Helicobacter pylorimedicine concludes today as the main risk factors for developing an ulcer the intake of anti-inflammatories or the consumption of tobaccowithout giving too much importance to diet or stress.

It is at this point that he comes face to face with naturopathic medicine and other natural therapies for which, in addition to the bacterium, there are other reasons which alone can trigger it.

Helicobacter pylori infection: why treat it

The discovery of this bacterium has radically changed the way ulcers are treated. Instead of giving drugs for months, years, or even a lifetime, a short course of antibiotics can kill the problem.

In any case, what is clear is that it is essential to pay attention to it, because in case of ignoring the ulcer or not treating it properly, there can be complications: the lining of the stomach or intestines is susceptible to being destroyed slowly, there is a risk of suffering internal bleeding, vomiting blood or blood in the stool, and could even perforate the digestive tract.

Another way of prevention, even earlier, is that of avoid contagion thanks to early treatment. Subsequent research has shown that infection by Helicobacter pylori can be contracted in youth or from a carrier.

“It seems that it is contagious through the oral route, with intimate contact with the infected person”, remarks Dr. Cañones Garzón.

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Of all those infected, only 15% evolve into an ulcer peptic, a 1-2% does it towards a gastric cancerand less than 1% towards a gastric malt lymphomawhich means that most remain asymptomatic.

However, they are people who can spread the bacteria to others who do develop the disease.

Natural therapies to treat and prevent helicobacter ulcers

Orthodox medicine has today as main objective is to eradicate the bacteria.

There are many effective drugs, such as a H2 receptor antagonistwhich prevents the secretion of histamine, a substance that occurs naturally and stimulates the secretion of gastric acid.

But while a short course of antibiotics can do away with the problem, it is possible to get reinfectedso it is better not to smoke and drink in moderation, watch your diet, do not abuse anti-inflammatories and avoid stress.

This is where natural therapies can help the mostbecause only by becoming more aware of what affects us and taking measures to change it will the root of the problem be corrected.

Instead of eradicating the bacteria that cause many ulcers, natural medicine considers it a priority to correct the causes that have favored the infection.

And it is that, as with all microorganisms, this bacterium grows and multiplies if the environmental conditions are favorable. The true cause of the ulcer would not be, therefore, infectious but would have to do mainly with those foods that require high amounts of hydrochloric acid and pepsin to be digested, with the habit of excessive drinking at mealswhich dilutes gastric juices and stimulates their production, with smoking, drinking alcohol or coffee, with some anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, and with stress and worries.

1. Diet to prevent and treat ulcers

“The treatment of an ulcer must take into account the gastric, physical and mental rest“, affirms the naturopath José Luis Carbonell. Natural medicines precisely place the accent on the dietrest and relaxation.

Between the restricted foods Coffee and tea, cola drinks, refined sugar, fried foods, spicy foods, flatulent vegetables (cooked cabbage, onion, peppers), dried legumes, sweets, and raw fruit with skin stand out.

It’s recommended also avoid very cold or very hot drinks.

As for dairy, although until recently it was recommended to drink milk and its derivatives if you suffered from an ulcer, now it has been proven that they increase acid secretions, so it is not convenient to abuse of them.

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Bread, cereals, boiled vegetables, ripe fruits or honey are some recommended foods. Likewise, “it is important to take food at natural temperature, chew and salivate correctly, and take the last dose three hours before bedtime to prevent gastric acidity,” says Carbonell.

2. Natural remedies

Potato juice. Creates a protective film on the gastric mucosa, which also helps reduce inflammation. It should be taken at least in the morning and at night, before each meal.liquorice infusion. Protects the gastric mucosa, neutralizes acidity and calms the burning sensation. It is prescribed as a supportive therapy for people affected by gastroduodenal ulcers. It can be taken in a simple decoction (2-3 cups a day, after meals).chamomile compresses. They are prepared with an infusion of the plant and a cloth of thread or cotton that should surround the abdomen, held with a woolen or flannel cloth. It exerts an anti-inflammatory effect.Clay. Its poultices on the abdomen calm pain and inflammation. It is advisable to apply them when you get up and renew them every four hours.Raw cabbage juice. Recent studies show that cabbage contains anti-ulcer compounds. Among its effects, it has been seen that it acts as a natural antacid and that it favors the healing of ulcers in the digestive system.

How to drink raw cabbage juice

To obtain the aforementioned benefits against gastroduodenal ulcers, cabbage must be taken raw and in the form of juice, since cooked has no effect and can worsen digestive function.

For get It mash fresh cabbage leaves, are mixed with a few tablespoons of water and the whole is crushed with the help of a blender or blender. are taken three glasses every day, half an hour before meals.

With a balanced diet and this simple treatment have been achieved amazing results in just three weeks.

3. Acupuncture in case of stomach ulcer

precisely the emotional disturbances They are one of the three causes considered by Traditional Chinese Medicine. The other two are the eating disorders and the stomach failure.

“If you are weak, you are more prone to infections,” says Mireia Masip, teaching coordinator at the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a collaborator at the Guang an Men Clinic.

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In peptic ulcer it is basic distinguish if it is an energetic pathology, blood, cold, heat or if it is a failure syndrome or an acute crisis.

Depending on the case, the symptoms will vary and we will act accordingly. Acupuncture has good results if the patient cooperates (diet, less stress and other habits).

4. Homeopathy for stomach ulcer

Juan Martín-Ballestero, a homeopathic doctor, acknowledges that many of the people who come to his office and have been diagnosed with ulcers due to Helicobacter pylori they do it for complement the treatment.

Something that in itself is positive, because “this will help improve the level of the body’s defense mechanisms that decrease due to antibiotic treatment“.

In parallel, as well as in other types of ulcers, “homeopathy should always assess the characteristic symptoms that individualize the person who suffers from it, not only in their way of reacting to discomfort, but also by making a detailed study of their way of being and acting” .

Thus, for example, someone who lives constantly anticipating events and who presents stomach ache with abundant flatulence improves with belching and flatus, you may be prescribed argentum nitricum.

Others remedies indicated in ulcers are Arsenicum Album, Phosphorus, Kali Bichromicum, Lycopodium and Nux Vomica.

5. Stress management

Both naturopathic medicine and homeopathy and Chinese medicine state that The ulcer usually manifests itself after a stressful situation caused by problems or difficulties on which one cannot or does not know how to act correctly.

In this process excessive secretion of gastric juices occurs responsible for the formation of sores or wounds in the stomach or duodenum which, in turn, are formed by a tear or defect in the mucosa of the digestive tract.

As Rosa Muñoz, psychologist and director of Cepvi, explains, “one can even speak of personality characteristics common to those affected by an ulcer.”

They tend to be dependent people who, however, are self-sufficient and competitive. They are hypochondriacs, they tend to perceive events in a negative way and inhibit aggressiveness, which they can direct towards themselves with feelings of guilt and self-criticism.

Antibiotic treatment is therefore not considered the definitive solution, since it If the causes of acid hypersecretion persist, after a short time the bacteria reappears.