Peptic Ulcer Diet

Introduction: Peptic Ulcer Diet

The Peptic Ulcer Diet has traditionally been recommended as one element in treating ulcers in the stomach or duodenum of the small intestine, called peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in these areas and may become serious enough to bleed, resulting in a potentially life-threatening hemorrhage in some cases. Factors such as diet, stomach acid and digestive juices, and lifestyle, including smoking and stress, were long believed to be the cause of peptic ulcer disease. Current research has found that most peptic ulcers are primarily caused by an infection of a certain bacteria. Despite this, diet, lifestyle, certain medications, and the presence of stomach acids and pepsin, which digest foods, also have a part on the development of peptic ulcers. The symptoms of peptic ulcers include burning or pain in the stomach or upper abdominal area, which often begin about an hour after eating. Symptoms may also include belching, nausea, vomiting, and weakness. People with peptic ulcer disease often report that the symptoms may be relieved by milk, food, or antacids. In another condition, called non-ulcer dyspepsia, people experience the same symptoms although they have not developed an actual ulcer.

Peptic ulcers and non-ulcer dyspepsia are treated with a complete and individualized medical plan that will be developed by your health care provider based on you specific case. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, such as not smoking and reducing stress, antibiotics and other medications, surgery, and dietary changes. Current research has shown that in general, there is no specific diet that helps heal peptic ulcers and relieves non-ulcer dyspepsia. Your health care provider may recommend that you avoid foods that seem to irritate your stomach. Foods that commonly are irritating include black pepper, red or hot pepper, chili powder, caffeine, regular and decaffeinated coffee or tea, cocoa, chocolate, cola beverages, citrus fruits and juices, fatty and fried foods, tomato products, and peppermint. Other recommendation may include eating slowly and chewing food thoroughly and avoiding eating within two hours of bedtime. It is also generally advised to avoid alcohol. People with peptic ulcer disease also should not take aspirin, aspirin-containing combination medicines and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or Aleve. These medications can cause peptic ulcers and delay or prevent healing. Peptic ulcer disease can be very serious, so if you are experiencing symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, it is important that you consult with you health care provider and receive and full evaluation and diagnosis. In addition, there are many conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Any diet may have the potential to be harmful to some people, so consultation with a health care provider before starting any diet plan is recommended.

Peptic Ulcer Diet: Other Names

Other names for this diet (Peptic Ulcer Diet) include:

Gastric Ulcer Diet
Ulcer Diet
Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia Diet

Peptic Ulcer Diet: Similar Diets

Other diets similar to Peptic Ulcer Diet include:

Conditions Associated with Peptic Ulcer Diet

Conditions associated with Peptic Ulcer Diet include:

Foods Excluded Or Restricted From Peptic Ulcer Diet

The following foods may be restricted or excluded from Peptic Ulcer Diet:

Alcohol
Aspirin and medications that contain aspirin
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
Ibuprofen
Motrin
Advil
Aleve
Any food that is irritating to the stomach for the individual. Common irritating foods include:
Chilli powder
Caffeine and beverage and foods that contain caffeine
Regular and decaffeinated coffee or tea
Chocolate
Fatty foods
Fried foods
Black pepper
Red or hot pepper
Orange juice
Tomatoes
Peppermint
Carbonated drinks
Citrus fruits and juices

Foods Focused On For Peptic Ulcer Diet

The following foods may be focused on as part of Peptic Ulcer Diet:

Varies, depending on an individual's specific case

Peptic Ulcer Diet: Potential Risks Or Complications

The following are potential risks or complications of the diet (Peptic Ulcer Diet):

Vitamin C deficiency if citrus fruits are restricted and supplementation is not provided
Consultation with a health care provider before starting any diet plan program is recommended