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Your Guide To Peptic Ulcers

By , About.com Guide

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Living With Peptic Ulcers

Eat 6 small meals instead of 3 big meals.
This keeps your stomach from getting too full. This will also reduce gastric pressure. Another tip is to eat slowly.

Don't eat or drink anything for at least 2 hours before going to bed.
Lying down with a full stomach can cause stomach contents to press harder against the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the chances of refluxed food.

Avoid foods that trigger excessive acid production or heartburn.
There are several foods and beverages that may cause symptoms. Check out this list of good and bad foods for ulcer sufferers. If you aren't sure what foods trigger your symptoms, try keeping a record for a week.

Avoid alcohol.
Alcohol increases the production of stomach acid, which will irritable an ulcer and worsen symptoms. Alcohol also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing stomach contents to reflux back up into the esophagus.

Don't smoke.
Smoking stimulates the production of stomach acid. It can also delay the healing of the ulcer, and has been linked to a recurrence of ulcers. Find out the other reasons it's good to stop smoking if you suffer from heartburn.

Avoid certain over-the-counter pain relievers
The use of aspirin and NSAIDs (non steroidal inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and Aleve) can cause ulcers, or aggravate symptoms if you already have an ulcer. If you need to take these medicines, your doctor may prescribe another medicine to protect your stomach.

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