RE: Ulcers, was Prilosic

[Guest guest]

From what I have read they can be caused by both physical erosion with no bacteria, and also from bacteria.

That is why they say if your ulcer does not improve with conventional treatment to try the antibiotics for the H.pylori ( sp ?)

But if you have GERD and your stomach is leaking acid, it's also going to be leaking the enzymes with it and they too eat away at tissue and can help form an ulcer. The acid isn't as much the problem as the fact that it doesn't stay IN the stomach where the tissue is protected from it. An ulcer can be then be formed, and ulcers are not limited to the stomach alone. An ulcer can be formed anywhere on or in your body. They can be caused by chemical burns or physical rubbing.. such as tubing inserted etc. Perhaps that is the confusion? You are thinking ulcer=stomach lining only?

Carol in IL doihavtasay@...Mom to 7 blessings including , 3 with DS and Grandma to Micah and Jonah.

" My problem isn't how I look, is how you see me." "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain." Psalm 127

It was my understanding that ulcers are more often than not caused, not by stomach acid, but by bacteria (I think), and when the acid was involved, again more often than not, it was not too much acid, but too little of the pretective "juices" lining the interior of the stomach.How far out in left field am I on this?PSAnd I agree, diet is the main issue with this type of condition, in most cases, in my opinion.J

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[Guest guest]

Subject: Mastic Oil for ulcers Mastic oil comes from the sap of a

rare cousin of the pistachio tree. In ancient times, doctors,

including Hippocrates and Galen, prized it for its ability to cure

stomach ulcers and gum disease. Now researchers are beginning to

confirm that mastic kills Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium

responsible for most ulcers in the stomach and small intestine. For

centuries, people of the Mediterranean have cooked with the tree's

oil and chewed gum made from its resin to freshen their breath and

soothe stomach pains. But it long ago fell out of favor with Western

doctors. " Mastic disappeared from medicine for many centuries

because when universities were established, pharmacological

knowledge was not included, " says Riddle, PhD, professor of

history at North Carolina State University. " Learned men of the time

did not trust folk cures based on herbs. " But in 1982 the discovery

that H. pylori causes most ulcers in the stomach and small intestine

spurred a search for new treatments. Middle Eastern doctors who

remembered the ancient remedy decided to test mastic scientifically.

In one such study, reported in the September-October 1984 issue of

Clinical Experiments in Pharmacological Physiology, researchers

assigned 38 patients with duodenal (intestinal)ulcers to two groups.

One group took a gram a day of mastic and the other group took a

placebo. Of those taking the mastic, 70% healed, compared with only

22% of the patients taking the placebo. Patients reported no side

effects, and further experiments showed that mastic can kill H.

pylori in test tubes. Now Atherton, MD, a gastroenterologist at

Nottingham University, England, is testing mastic in patients known

to be infected with H. pylori. " There are a handful of scientific

papers from the Middle East showing how mastic cures ulcers and

reduces heartburn, " says Atherton. " But there are no good studies

from the U.S. or from Britain. (And) we want to see if mastic works

by killing the bacterium H. pylori or by some other protective

action on the stomach. " Some researchers think mastic may ease ulcer

symptoms by stimulating the stomach to thicken the lining of mucus

that shields it from acid. The treatment is still virtually unknown

in the United States. " We have not heard of that yet, " says

Rittman, communications director for the American College of

Gastroenterology. The British herbal products company Goldshield

Healthcare sells mastic in British pharmacies under the trade name

Mastika and plans to sell the treatment to U.S. customers through

its web site (http://www.mastika.com). The company is marketing

mastic as a food supplement because the research is so preliminary

that neither the British nor the U.S. government have approved it as

a medicine. A Bargain Treatment Little research has tested mastic's

long-reputed power to fight gum disease; scientists have focused on

its potential as an ulcer treatment because ulcers can be deadly, H.

pylori increases the risk of gastric cancer, and the standard

antibiotic treatments are expensive. Not only are antibiotics more

expensive than mastic, they often cause side effects. And H. pylori

is becoming resistant to metronidazole, the current first-choice

antibiotic for ulcers in many poor nations. So far, no one has

tested mastic and antibiotics head-to-head to see which is most

effective for ulcers. Mastic gum is obtained from a shrub found

scattered over the Mediterranean region in Spain, Portugal, France,

Greece, Turkey, Northern Africa and the Canary Islands. It's

botanical name is Pistacia lentiscus. The part used is the resinous

exudate from the stem. In addition to being a traditional medicinal

agent, mastic gum has traditionally been used in the perfume

industry and as chewing gum in many cultures. Reported Uses: Mastic

gum's main potential benefit involves support of the stomach lining.

Studies suggest that mastic may inhibit the growth of H. pylori, a

bacterial invader that lives in the mucous of the stomach lining and

can lead to stomach ulcers and other complications. Additionally,

studies suggest that mastic gum may be able to exert overall

protective support for the stomach lining and may provide benefit

for patients with stomach ulcers. It may also protect the body from

various fungi and other bacteria. Precautions General Precaution: Be

sure to tell your pharmacist, doctor or other health care providers

about any dietary supplements you are taking. There may be a

potential for interactions or side effects. taking. There may be a

potential for interactions or side effects. Allergy: Some

individuals experience an allergic reaction when taking this dietary

supplement. Discontinue use and call your doctor or seek medical

attention if you have fast or irregular breathing, skin rash, hives

or itching. Pregnancy/Breast-Feeding: To date, the medical

literature has not reported any adverse effects related to fetal

development during pregnancy or to infants who are breast-fed. Yet

little is known about the use of this dietary supplement while

pregnant or breast-feeding. Therefore, it is recommended that you

inform your healthcare practitioner of any dietary supplements you

are using while pregnant or breast-feeding. -------------------------

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Aspirin and vitamin C may create more acid. When aspirin is taken

for long periods of time, it can cause or worsen ulcers. Steroids

taken for arthritis and even nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

may contribute to stomach ulcers. Heavy smokers have trouble healing

an ulcer.

Nutrients

L-Glutamine, 500 mg daily on an empty stomach, is important in the

healing of peptic ulcers. Pectin, taken as directed on the label,

may have good results on a duodenal ulcer. Vitamin E, 400 IU per

day, aids in reducing stomach acids and in relieving pain. Aloe vera

juice or gel, 4 oz. per day, aids in pain relief and speeds healing.

Iron (chelated form), taken as directed on the label, helps prevent

anemia (which may result from bleeding ulcers). Unsaturated fatty

acids, taken as directed, protects the stomach and intestinal tract.

Vitamin A emulsion or capsules, 25,000 IU daily for one month, is

needed for healing. It protects the mucous membranes of the stomach

and intestines. Vitamin K, 100 mg. per day. Zinc, 50-80 mg. per day,

promotes quicker healing.

Freshly made cabbage juice is beneficial for ulcers. Drink

immediately after juicing with a large glass of water. This dilutes

the HCL and flushes it through the stomach and duodenum.

Do not drink milk. The calcium and protein in milk stimulates the

production of more acid; milk has a rebound effect. Almond milk is a

good substitute. Avoid fried foods, caffeine, tea, alcohol, salt,

chocolate, strong spices, animal fats of any kind, and carbonated

drinks. Instead of drinking soda, sip lemon juice and water.

Eat small and frequent meals. Eat well-cooked millet, cooked white

rice, raw goat's milk, and soured milk products such as yogurt,

cottage cheese, and kefir. If symptoms are severe, eat soft foods

such as avocados, bananas, potatoes, squash, and yams daily. Put all

vegetables through a blender or processor. Eat well-steamed

vegetables like broccoli and carrots occasionally. For bleeding

ulcers, consume baby foods and add nonirritating fiber such as guar

gum and psyllium seed. Great results have been reported after 30

days on this diet. The foods are easy to digest, nutritious, and

without chemicals.

Keep bowel habits regular and of normal consistency. Never become

constipated

Licorice (DGL) is most beneficial in the treatment of ulcers

DGL improves the integrity of the lining of the stomach and

intestinal tract by increasing blood supply and mucosal secretions.

While acid suppressors certainly provide quick relief, they fail to

address the underlying cause and cost many times more than DGL

supplements. Furthermore, DGL has demonstrated an ability to inhibit

H. pylori colonization.

Another important consideration in DGL supplementation is that since

it improves the protective action of the intestinal lining, it is

highly suitable for those who require long-term treatment with drugs

known to promote ulcer formation, such as corticosteroids, aspirin

and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

vegetable and plant juices. The juice of raw cabbage has been a

popular remedy for peptic ulcers for many years. Scientists

speculate that the high glutamine content of the juice is likely to

be responsible for the speedy healing of ulcers. Its mechanism seems

to be to increase secretions of the gastric mucosa. In one early

study, subjects with peptic ulcers experienced complete healing

within a week to ten days while consuming a total of one liter of

the fresh juice daily.

Rhubarb (Rheum spp.) has shown to be an effective in treating

intestinal bleeding sometimes caused by ulcers. In a recent Chinese

study, 312 patients with bleeding ulcers were treated with alcohol-

extracted tablets of rhubarb. The bleeding ceased in more than 90%

of the patients in less than three days. This action of rhubarb is

thought to be due to the presence of flavonoids and anthraquinones,

which act as astringents. Aloe vera juice contains similar compounds

and may have greater availability.

Here is a formula I have also.

For internal ulcers, take the following tea:

Comfrey (2 parts)

Calendula (1 part)

Knotgrass (1 part)

Steep 1 tsp. in 1/2 cup boiling water. Take 1 1/2 to 2 cups a day,

unsweetened, in mouthful doses.

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> It was my understanding that ulcers are more often than not

caused,

> not by stomach acid, but by bacteria (I think), and when the acid

was

> involved, again more often than not, it was not too much acid, but

> too little of the pretective " juices " lining the interior of the

> stomach.

>

> How far out in left field am I on this?

>

>

>

> PS

> And I agree, diet is the main issue with this type of condition,

in

> most cases, in my opinion.

[Guest guest]

deuteronomy2929 wrote:

> It was my understanding that ulcers are more often than not caused,

> not by stomach acid, but by bacteria (I think), and when the acid was

> involved, again more often than not, it was not too much acid, but

> too little of the pretective " juices " lining the interior of the

> stomach.

>

> How far out in left field am I on this?

>

>

>

> PS

> And I agree, diet is the main issue with this type of condition, in

> most cases, in my opinion.

=========================

Ulcers are the result of improper diet and/or lifestyle. Bacteria are

nothing but natures scavangers and are implicated because they happen to

be there cleaning up the toxins and metabolic wastes that have

accumulated through lack of proper elimination which is also the result

of an improper diet.

--

Peace, love and light,

Don Quai

" Spirit sleeps in the mineral, breathes in the vegetable, dreams in the animal

and wakes in man. "