Has your stomach been rumbling, even when you’re not hungry? Do you feel a burning pain that centers somewhere between your chest and belly? Are you anxious and finding it difficult to sleep? Like one in ten Americans, you may be suffering from ulcers.

Ulcers are a fairly common problem, and they aren’t serious, but they do interfere with your daily life. You may be struggling to determine which medicines help and which foods cause flare ups, but having little luck in either area. 

If you have ulcers, you may be missing out on one treatment that naturally and effectively manages ulcers and ulcer pain.

What Are Ulcers?

Peptic ulcers, which are found in the inside lining of your stomach and upper portion of your small intestine, are open sores that cause pain and discomfort. Peptic ulcers are broken down into two types: duodenal and gastric. Duodenal ulcers are found in the small intestine while gastric ulcers are in the stomach.

Ulcers are caused most commonly by an infection of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). It’s also common to get ulcers following long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium (brand name Aleve).         

People often think ulcers are caused by stress and spicy foods, but that’s a myth. Although they can make your symptoms feel worse. Other risk factors that make ulcers worse include smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking increases the chances of getting peptic ulcers if you are already infected with H. pylori. Alcohol eats away at the mucous lining of the stomach wall as well as increases the amount of stomach acid. 

How Do Ulcers Affect the Body?

The ulcer causes damage to the stomach or small intestine lining, which allows stomach acid to enter the protective lining. This can cause mild to severe pain, depending on the extent of the damage. 

Unfortunately, many people take over-the-counter medications, thinking they will help with the pain, but they actually can cause more damage, exacerbating the problem and even further destroying the stomach lining over time. 

If left untreated, ulcers can truly wreak havoc on the body. Internal bleeding is possible, with a slow blood loss leading to anemia. Severe blood loss can eventually develop, requiring hospitalization. If you have black or bloody stools or vomit, you may be experiencing severe blood loss and need to see your doctor immediately. 

An ulcer will continue to eat away at the stomach lining if not treated. It can eventually form a hole in the wall of your stomach or small intestine. As the digestive fluids and bacteria enter your abdominal cavity, you may develop serious infections. 

It’s also possible for an obstruction to form that blocks the passage of food through the digestive system. You’ll feel full easily, vomit, and lose weight. Additionally, the H. pylori bacteria leads to an increased risk of gastric cancer. 

What Can You Do To Prevent Ulcers?

You can reduce your risk of getting ulcers by limiting risk factors such as stress, spicy foods, smoking, and alcohol. Additionally, it’s wise to protect yourself from the H. pylori bacteria with frequent hand washing and cooking your foods fully before consuming them. 

You should also be careful when taking pain relievers. Limit pain reliever use as much as possible, but when you must take them, do so with meals or a glass of milk so that you have a full stomach. Take the lowest dose possible that still provides pain relief and do not drink alcohol when taking pain medicine, as the combination of the two will increase your risk of ulcers. 

How Do You Treat an Ulcer?

Traditionally, ulcers are treated with a variety of medicines meant to kill the H. pylori bacterium and heal the ulcer, while eliminating or reducing the use of NSAIDs. It may be necessary to make changes to your diet, exercise plan, and lifestyle to reduce pain, including limiting alcohol and quitting smoking. 

However, one study shows that spinal manipulative therapy is effective in treating ulcers, offering relief an average of ten days earlier than traditional care. Chiropractic care does more than treat back and neck pain. It can effectively treat the root issues of many problems, including ulcers. 

Subluxations, which are spinal misalignments, may create problems with your body’s ability to communicate and function, which can result in a variety of symptoms, including pain, digestive issues, and ulcers. A visit to your chiropractor will allow you to be evaluated so that a unique treatment plan can be developed for you. 

Chiropractic care and spinal manipulations can help relieve ulcer pain and the underlying misalignments that are causing the issues. Routine gentle adjustments will provide holistic, natural health care to ensure that your ulcer pain disappears without the use of costly, dangerous medications. 

If you’re ready to get rid of those painful stomach and digestive issues, then it’s time to schedule a chiropractic appointment online or call us today.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person advice or care from a medical professional.