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  Today’s topic is very dear to my heart because I’m a former ulcer patient. I like to emphasize the word, “former” because an ulcer needs to hear me loud and clear so that when it’s counting its patients, it will bear in mind that I have graduated.
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For my part, I’m doing all that is within my power to avoid slipping back into that pit. In case you’re wondering, yes, we sometimes send invitations to ulcers by our actions and inactions. I’ll give you the low down on this next week. In the meantime, let me tell you a little about a stomach ulcer. Stomach ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of the oesophagus, stomach or small intestine. This sore is often aggravated by your stomach acids but it’s usually not caused by it. Stomach ulcers can be caused by an infection with the bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) or by the constant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). When you have an ulcer, dietary change alone may not cure it. It will provide you with the necessary nutrients that your body needs; some of these nutrients will aid in tissue repair and some others will help to fight off H.pylori and even boost your own good bacteria. The dietary change will also help you to eat foods that will not irritate your stomach linings. The following is a dietary guide for your stomach ulcer: Drink Lots of Water: Some say that water is medicinal. I know for a fact that its life and it’s one food that you should not underestimate. If you are an ulcer patient, drink at least two quartz of water daily. You won’t be able to drink this at once but you can do so at intervals. Also, drink a full glass whenever you are uncomfortable. Water dilutes the acid in your stomach.
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Embrace Yoghurt and Flee from Milk: When I  had an ulcer, I was advised by many people to take lots of milk because it was said to be capable of coating and soothing the ulcers. I wasn’t a fan of milk, tea or any chocolate beverage for that matter but my dad filled a cupboard in my room with milk, corn flakes, sugar and biscuit. In between meals and at midnight sef, I ate corn flakes, biscuit flakes, milk and tea. But the milk only brought short term relief because unbeknownst to me, the protein and calcium in it stimulate acid production. So, if you have an ulcer and someone tells you that milk will help you, nwanne, don’t fall for it. I’ve been there and I’ve done that. It doesn’t work. If you want something to soothe your ulcer, go for yoghurt. Studies suggest that while the friendly bacteria in it may not get rid of H. Pylori, they may lower their level in the stomach. Avoid Acidic Foods: When you have ulcer, try as much as possible to avoid foods that’ll trigger acid production and reflux. Now, some foods are nutritious but they have very high acidic content. Tomatoes and citrus fruits are an example of such foods and you should flee from them. Why? Because their natural acidity increases the acidic content of the body and may cause stomach upset; this discomfort and pain is unsuitable for ulcer patients. Go for High Fibre Foods: There are several benefits to eating fibre rich foods. They are good for digestion; they promote healthy gut bacteria. Fibre-rich foods like oatmeal, pear, carrot, apples are good for ulcer patients because they can reduce the acid in the stomach and also ease bloating and pain. What’s more, studies indicate that fibre-rich foods may prevent ulcers. Therefore, don’t wait till you have an ulcer to eat fibre rich food. Prevention is better than cure oh! Start now to gradually introduce it to your diet. Avoid Fried Food: Fried food no dey go well with ulcers. The reason for this is simple. The body digests fatty foods slowly. This slow digestion gives food enough time to ferment. when it does, bloating and gas are typically the uncomfortable result. That’s all on today’s dietary guide for an ulcer patient. We’ll conclude this discussion next week. Featured Image Source: Medical News Today
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This article was first published on 26th August 2021

udevi-obiamaka-angela

Udevi, Obiamaka Angela holds a Master of Arts degree in History & International Studies. She's a freelance writer with a passion for food and healthy living. She can be contacted through her email address, obiudevi@yahoo.com

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