The Real Cause of Ulcers

The Real Cause of Ulcers

For years mainstream medicine claimed that stress and excess stomach acid caused ulcers. Although stress can contribute to ulcers by either suppressing stomach acid or causing an over secretion of it, we now know that the real culprit is a nasty spiral-shaped bacteria called Helicobacter pylori which lives in the stomach lining. This destructive little stowaway suppresses the production of hydrochloric acid, causes inflammation, reduces the protective mucus coating in the stomach, and creates holes in stomach acid to born it and cause ulcers. It may be that in many people Helicobacter doesn’t create enough damage to cause ulcers, cause chronic indigestion and heartburn.

The standard medical treatment for Helicobacter infection is one or two antibiotics, usually tetracycline and amoxicillin, combined with a bismuth agent such as

Pepto-Bismol, for a weak to ten days. However, if you want to avoid antibiotics, you can try a combination of garlic capsules to kill the bacteria (one or two capsules with meals); licorice root tincture or capsules to aid in healing and protecting the stomach lining, and cabbage juice to speed healing.

Bleeding Stomach Ulcers

Ulcers are also commonly causes bye NSAIDS (nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen. I encourage you to avoid them, especially if you’re having stomach pains.