Health Notes
Peptic Ulcer
Lifestyle Modification
Aspirin and related drugs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs),1 alcohol,2 coffee3 (including decaf),4 and tea5 can aggravate or interfere with the healing of peptic ulcers. Smoking is also known to slow ulcer healing.6 Whether or not an ulcer is caused by infection, people with peptic ulcer should avoid use of these substances.
Holistic Options
Emotional stress has been shown to increase acid production in the stomach.7 The reported association between stress and peptic ulcer might be attributable to a stress-induced increase in gastric acidity.8, 9 During the air raids of London in World War II, British physicians observed an increase of more than 50% in the incidence of ruptured peptic ulcers.10, 11 More recently, an increased incidence of bleeding stomach ulcers was seen in survivors of the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake in Japan.12 Whether stress reduction techniques or psychological counselling helps prevent ulcers or ulcer recurrence has not been adequately studied in medical trials.
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.