HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR PEPTIC ULCERS

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your stomach and the upper portion of your small intestine. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is stomach pain.

Peptic ulcers include:

·         Gastric ulcers that occur on the inside of the stomach

·         Duodenal ulcers that occur on the inside of the upper portion of your small intestine (duodenum)

The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and long-term use of aspirin and certain other painkillers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox, others). Stress and spicy foods do not cause peptic ulcers. However, they can make your symptoms worse.

Causes- Peptic ulcers occur when acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine. The acid can create a painful open sore that may bleed.

Your digestive tract is coated with a mucous layer that normally protects against acid. But if the amount of acid is increased or the amount of mucus is decreased, you could develop an ulcer. Common causes include:

A bacterium. Helicobacter pylori bacteria commonly live in the mucous layer that covers and protects tissues that line the stomach and small intestine. Often, the H. pylori bacterium causes no problems, but it can cause inflammation of the stomach's inner layer, producing an ulcer.

It's not clear how H. pylori infection spreads. It may be transmitted from person to person by close contact, such as kissing. People may also contract H. pylori through food and water.

Regular use of certain pain relievers. Taking aspirin, as well as certain over-the-counter and prescription pain medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can irritate or inflame the lining of your stomach and small intestine. These medications include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox, others), but not acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Peptic ulcers are more common in older adults who take these pain medications frequently or in people who take these medications for osteoarthritis.

Other medications. Taking certain other medications along with NSAIDs, such as steroids, anticoagulants, low-dose aspirin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel), can greatly increase the chance of developing ulcers.

Risk factors-  In addition to taking certain pain medications, including aspirin, you may have an increased risk of peptic ulcers if you:

Smoke. Smoking may increase the risk of peptic ulcers in people who are infected with H. pylori.

Drink alcohol. Alcohol can irritate and erode the mucous lining of your stomach, and it increases the amount of stomach acid that's produced.

Have untreated stress.

Eat spicy foods.

Alone, these factors do not cause ulcers, but they can make them worse and more difficult to heal.

Symptoms-- Burning stomach pain. Feeling of fullness, bloating or belching

Fatty food intolerance. Heartburn. Nausea

The most common peptic ulcer symptom is burning stomach pain. Stomach acid makes the pain worse, as does having an empty stomach. The pain can often be relieved by eating certain foods that buffer stomach acid or by taking an acid-reducing medication, but then it may come back. The pain may be worse between meals and at night.

Nearly three-quarters of people with peptic ulcers don't have symptoms.

Less often, ulcers may cause severe signs or symptoms such as:

·         Vomiting or vomiting blood — which may appear red or black

·         Dark blood in stools, or stools that are black or tarry

·         Trouble breathing

·         Feeling faint

·         Nausea or vomiting

·         Unexplained weight loss

·         Appetite changes

Complications-- Left untreated, peptic ulcers can result in:

Internal bleeding. Bleeding can occur as slow blood loss that leads to anemia or as severe blood loss that may require hospitalization or a blood transfusion. Severe blood loss may cause black or bloody vomit or black or bloody stools.

Infection. Peptic ulcers can eat a hole through (perforate) the wall of your stomach or small intestine, putting you at risk of serious infection of your abdominal cavity (peritonitis).

Obstruction. Peptic ulcers can lead to swelling, inflammation or scarring that may block passage of food through the digestive tract. A blockage may make you become full easily, vomit and lose weight.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

ARGENTUM NITRICUM 30- Argentum Nitricum is one of the top remedies for stomach ulcers.  This medicine is well indicated when sharp ulcerative or burning pain is felt in the stomach and radiates to other regions of the abdomen. The pain is sometimes gnawing in nature. Symptoms such as belching, nausea, vomiting may also appear along with these radiating pains. Abdominal distension may also be present in Argentum nitricum.

ABIES CANADENSIS 30- Abies can . is an excellent remedy for gastric ulcer.There is gnawing , hungry faint feeling at the epigastrium . Burning and distension of stomach is present.Tendency to eat far beyond the capacity for digestion.There is great appetite, craving for meat, pickles, radish, turnips coarse food. Flatulence disturbs the heart’s action. Want to lie down all the time.

ABIES NIGRA 30-Abies nigra is prescribed when pain pain in stomach comes after eating. Sensation as if hard boiled egg had lodged in the cardiac end of stomach. Great craving for food at noon and night. It is suitable for dyspepsia of the aged. Also dyspepsia after tea or tobacco. Sour eructations.

ACETIC ACID 30- Burning pains as of an ulcer. Cancer of stomach. Sour eructations. Vomits every kind of food. Heartburn and water brash. Hyperchlorhydria. Profuse salivation. Intense burning thirst. Haemorrhage from bowels. Great prostration. Pale, lean, emaciated persons.

ANACARDIUM 30-- Anacardium is an excellent remedy for duodenal ulcer. All gone sensation when stomach is empty, > by eating, during the process of digestion. Apt to choke while eating and drinking. Swallows food and drink hastily. Ineffectual desire for stool, rectum seems to be plugged up. Sensation of a band or hoop around a part. Sudden loss of memory. Hypochondriac.

ARSENICUM ALBUM 30-Burning pains in abdomen, burns like fire, as if hot coals were applied to the parts. > by heat, hot drinks. Vomiting of bile, blood, brown black mucus mixed with blood. Gastralgia < at mid day and mid night. Cannot bear the smell or sight of food. Excessive thirst for warm drinks at short intervals. Diarrhoea, stool scanty, dark, offensive < after eating and drinking. Bad effects of decayed food or animal matter. Gastric derangements after fruits, ice creams, beer, strong cheese, alcohol. Fear, anxiety, restlessness. Prostration.

ATROPIUM-3X- Chronic stomach affections. Paroxysms of gastric pains. Vomiting of all food. Hyperchlorhydrea. Pyrosis. Great dryness of throat, almost impossible to swallow.

BISMUTH 30- Gastralgia, pain from stomach through to spine. Vomiting of water as soon as it reaches the stomach, food retained longer, of enormous quantities at intervals of several days when food has filled the stomach. Purging, offensive stools. Pressure in stomach as from a load in one spot, alternating with burning, pain crampy, spasmodic. Anguish, always desire company.

CARBO VEG 3X--Carbo Veg is  an excellent remedy for peptic ulcers. It is most helpful when burning pain in the stomach is accompanied by sour belching or heartburn. The pain may extend from the stomach to the back. The epigastric area may also be sensitive and tender to touch. Eating the smallest amount of food, even light food, worsens the symptoms

CALCAREA CARB 30-Acidity of the digestive tract, sour eructations, sour vomiting, sour stool, sour odour of the whole body. Ravenous hunger. Pit of stomach swollen like an inverted saucer, painful to pressure. Aversion to milk and meat, craving for eggs. Habitual constipation, stool has to be removed mechanically. Leucophlegmatic, fair, obese persons.

CADMIUM SULPH. 30-Burning and cutting pains in stomach. Carcinoma. Persistent vomiting, violent nausea, retching, vomiting of black, coffee ground matter, of blood. Severe prostration. Black offensive clots of blood from bowels. Chilliness and coldness.

CHINA 30-Hyperacidity, vomiting of undigested food. Hungry with out appetite. Excessive flatulence of stomach and bowels ( lower abdomen ), fermentation, belching gives no relief. Colic at a certain hour, each day, periodical. < night, eating fruits, touch. > hard pressure, bending double. Diarrhoea painless at night, undigested food particles. Haematemesis and malena. Haemorrhage long continued. Ulcers with persistent suppuration. Longing for sour things. Broken down constitution, loss of vital fluids.

CONDURANGO 30-Gastric ulcer, carcinoma of stomach. Constant burning pains. Vomiting of food, burning behind sternum, where food seems to stick. Stricture of oes ophagus. Chronic gastric catarrh. Painful cracks at corners of mouth.

CUPRESSUS LAWSONIANA 30-Terrible pains in stomach. Sharp, piercing and pricking pains. Increased appetite followed by loathing of food. Feeling of warmth in stomach

GERANIUM MACULATUM 30--Catarrhal gastritis with profuse secretion, tendency to ulceration and passive haemorrhage. Lessens the vomiting in gastric ulcer. Vomiting of blood. Atonic, foul ulcers. Constant desire to go to stool, with inability to pass anything for sometime.

GRAPHITES 30-Graphites is prescribed when  vomiting immediately after eating food is present.Constrictive and burning pain in the stomach is experienced after eating. Excessive belching, taste of ingesta is also an attending symptom in such cases where Graphites is prescribed

GRINDELIA SQUARROSA 3X--Gastric ulcer, gastric pains associated with splenic congestion. Nausea and retching. Hyperchlorhydria. Hyperaemia of gastric mucus membrane. Dullness and pain in left hypochondrium. Paresis of pneumogastric. Gastritis with asthmatic symptoms. Smothering when falling asleep.

HYDRSTIS CANADENSIS 30-Hydrastis can. Is one of the best medicines for stomach ulcers when   they are accompanied by weight loss and emaciation. A key symptom is a constant sore feeling in the stomach. Cutting and sharp pain in the stomach may also be present . Weakness and a loathing of food in epigastrium are other symptoms to look out for. Hydrastis is also one of the major Homeopathic medicines for chronic gastritis.

IODUM 30-Duodenal ulcer; Ravenous hunger ,must eat every few hours, feels ameliorated while eating or after eating. Empty eructations, as if every particle of food was turned in to air. Constipation > by drinking cold milk. Emaciation, loosing flesh while eating well. Scrofulous diathesis.

IRIS VERSICOLOR 30-Hyperacidity, burning of the whole alimentary canal. Vomiting sour, bloody, biliary. Nausea, profuse salivation. Deficient appetite. Diarrhoea stools watery with burning of anus.

KALI BICHROMICUM 30-Kali Bichromicum is another excellent remedy for stomach ulcers.   It is indicated in round ulcers with a feeling of heaviness in the stomach soon after eating. The food seems to sit in the stomach like a load. Appetite is low in cases where Kali Bichromicum will work as one of the most effective Homeopathic medicines for stomach ulcers.

KREOSOTUM 30-Gastric ulcers; Carcinoma of stomach. Vomiting of food several hours after eating, vomiting of sweetish water with ptyalism. Haematemesis and malena. Flow passive, dark, oozing. Diarrhoea offensive, dark brown, bloody stools. Corrossive fetid ichorous discharges from mucus membranes.

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM 30-Lycopodium is prescribed  for stomach ulcers where the main symptoms are burning, constrictive pains attended with marked flatulence and fullness/bloating of the abdomen are present. Bloating starts soon after eating.  Lycopodium may get relief in pain from taking warm water. Farinaceous food like cabbage and beans worsen the symptoms. The patient has craving for sweets.

NATRUM PHOS 30-Excessive acidity, sour eructations, sour vomiting, spits mouth fuls of food. Gastritis. Flatulence. Yellow creamy coating at the back part of tongue and roof of mouth.

NUX MOSCHATA 30-Gastric ulcer; Pain in stomach while or immediately after eating. Eating a little too much causes headache. Abdomen enormously distended after every meal. Flatulent dyspepsia. Diarrhoea, stool white, fetid. Great dryness of mouth without thirst. Women, hysterical temperament, drowsiness, sleepiness, inclination to faint.

NUX VOMICA 30-Nux vomica is prescribed when  pain in the stomach is felt from eating even the smallest amount of food. The stomach region is also sensitive to touch in such cases. Nux Vomica is also one of the best suited Homeopathic medicines for stomach ulcers where spicy food, coffee, tobacco and alcoholic drinks worsen the symptoms. Tightness and pressure may be felt in the stomach after eating. Nausea, vomiting, eructations, flatulence and heartburn may accompany the above symptoms.

ORNITHOGALUM 30-Gastric ulcer, carcinoma of stomach and caecum. Haematemesis and malena. Vomiting of coffee ground matter. Pains increased when food passes pyloric outlet. Frequent belching of offensive flatus. Flatus rolls in balls from one side to another. Loss of appetite, phlegmy retchings, loss of flesh.

PETROLEUM 30-Duodenal ulcer; Ravenous hunger, must rise at night to eat. Pain abdomen > by constant eating <empty stomach, eating cabbage. Heartburn, nausea. Diarrhoea only in day time. Symptoms appear and disappear suddenly

PHOSPHORUS 30- Phosphorus is another top remedy for stomach ukcer when the pain is relieved by taking cold drinks.  Burning in the stomach after eating is complained of. Along with this, sour, bitter belching may also be experienced in such cases.

PULSATILLA NIG. 30-Pain in stomach an hour after eating. Pain with chilliness, rapidly shifting, appear suddenly, goes gradually. Vomiting of food eaten long before. Eructations, taste of food remains a long time. All gone sensation in tea drinkers. Complaints from eating rich food, cake, pork, sausage. Thirstlessness with dry mouth and tongue. Diarrhoea only at night, greenish yellow, very changeable.

ROBINIA 3X--Hyperchlorhydria. Nausea, sour eructations. Profuse vomiting of an intensely sour fluid. Great distension of stomach and bowels. Flatulent colic. Sour stools. Nightly burning pains in stomach. Acidity accompanied by frontal headache.

SULPHUR 30--Burning pains in stomach < at night, warm food and drinks. Weak empty all gone sensation at about 11 am > by eating, cannot wait for lunch. Acidity, sour eructations. Desire for sweets. Diarrhoea, driving out of bed early in the morning. Constipation, stools hard, dry as if burnt, painful. Redness of external orifices. Chronic alcoholism. Nervous temperament, scrofulous diathesis

SULPHURIC ACID 30-Hyperacidity, heartburn, sour eructations, sets teeth on edge. Sour vomiting. Haemorrhage of black blood from bowels. Ulcers bleed easily. Water causes coldness of stomach, must be mixed with alcohol. Pains come gradually and goes suddenly. Tremor and weakness.

SYMPHYTUM 30-Gastric and duodenal ulcers. Gastralgia. Stimulates the growth of epithelium on ulcerated surfaces.

URANIUM NITRICUM 3X-  Uranium Nitricum to be the ideal homeopathic remedy for gastric and duodenal ulcers characterized by boring pain in the pyloric region, a bloated abdomen, and a ravenous appetite followed by flatulence.