There are several different types of ulcers known in medicine. Ulcers are painful, open sores that can develop on the insides of your intestines, from the esophagus to the lower intestine. Ulcers are grouped into different categories, depending on their location. Gastric ulcers occur inside the stomach, esophageal ulcers occur inside the esophagus, and duodenal ulcers occur inside the duodenum—the top portion of the small intestine. Ulcers result when the lining in the stomach and intestines are in some way compromised or deficient. The symptoms that are associated with ulcers can vary in intensity, but in general, there is a burning and/or aching sensation at the locus of the affected area. Left untreated, ulcers can have extremely detrimental consequences. Perforation is when the ulcer penetrates through the entire organ wall and into the abdominal cavity, resulting in internal bleeding.

While it is known that some medications can put an individual at risk, there is more than one way to develop an ulcer. A bacterium known as Helicobacter pylori can initiate mucosal damage and result in an ulcer. This bacterium is present in the majority of ulcer cases, now being recognized as one of the primary causes of ulcers in humans.

Sometimes symptoms that may appear to be the result of ulcer formation are actually signs of a less serious and more manageable ailment. Dyspepsia is when there is low grade gastric or duodenal inflammation, often resulting in burning pain, bloating, and belching. With dyspepsia, X-ray and endoscopy results show no ulceration. Individuals with dyspepsia oftentimes benefit the most from proactive self help.

Self Help

There are a few things that you can do in order to prevent the negative symptoms associates with ulcers:

• Quit smoking
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Avoid milk and dairy products
• Include cruciferous vegetables into your diet
• Effectively manage general stress level
• Avoid excess protein and fat in your diet
• Consider switching pain medications, if possible
• Protect yourself from infections

Western Treatments

With regard to the Western approach for treating and preventing ulcers, there are a number of interventions that can be taken for acute cases. Antacids are at the frontline of the market for addressing ulcer symptoms. These antacids allow the affected area time to heal by decreasing, blocking, or neutralizing the secretion of acid in the stomach.

Antibiotics have also been used in the treatment of ulcers resulting from Helicobacter pylori. Multiple antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor and work together to kill the bacterium. Individuals taking antibiotics should be aware of the potential consequences, (e.g., stomach upset, diarrhea, and even drug resistance).

A Case Study in TCM Treatment

A 40-year-old man presented with a diagnosis of H. pylori from his gastroenterologist. The symptoms that this patient felt were the most acute were the chronic gastric burning, indigestion, and occasional headaches. This patient also displayed sensitivity to antibiotics, ultimately deciding to take a more natural approach to ulcer treatment. Traditional Chinese diagnosis found his tongue red with a yellow coating. This patient’s pulse was also found to be rapid and choppy. He was prescribed an herbal formula containing Isatis extract leaf and root, Codonopsis root, oyster shell, Bupleurum root, Smilax rhizome, and gardenia fruit. A secondary herbal formula was combined including, among others, Poria sclerotium, coix seed, Barley Shen Qu, Magnolia bark, Angelica root and Pueraria root. This patient was also instructed to reduce or eliminate dairy products, soft drinks, and citrus drinks. Light exercise was also recommended, with a reduction in overall fat intake. This patient showed remarkable results within two weeks. Within a month, this patient was claiming that his symptoms were 90 percent under control.