Food the fuel for every living organism spends considerable amount of time in st

omach. Concentrated acid along with digestive enzymes makes the solid foods and
drinks into more suitable for easy assimilation. However this process physiolog
ically may damage the internal intestinal walls. Thanks to Mother Nature the int
estinal walls are well protected with a protective layer called â Mucosaâ which prevents
the damage to the intestinal walls.
However sometimes due to many reasons the protective coat or Mucosa gets away wh
ich in turn allow the acids to harm the stomach and intestinal walls badly leadi
ng to tiny ulcers which usually occurs at the uppermost part of small intestine
or duodenum.
Under normal circumstances, the acid-enzyme mixture is secreted in the quantity
sufficient to disintegrate and churn the ingested food. If this acid-enzyme mixt
ure is secreted in excessive quantities, the chances of damage to the protective
mucosal covering are very high and often lead to wound like erosions in the inn
er most layer of stomach and/or duodenum. Medically, the condition is referred t
o as peptic ulcer.
Causes for Peptic Ulcer
Helicobacter pylori Bacteria: Destructive infection by H. pylori pathogens is cu
rrently understood as the foremost reason behind occurrence of peptic ulcers in
a majority of cases. H. pylori are found to thrive almost throughout the patientâ s l
ife and concomitantly trigger a modified defense reaction within the body.
Usage of Pain Killers: Commonly used â over the counterâ or prescribed pain relieving me
icines like aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen etc have been long found to deteriora
te the natural defense mechanism of stomach, often leading to chances of peptic
ulcers .
Improper Diet and lifestyle: Prolonged intake of spicy/irritant food stuffs, cof
fee, tea, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and smoking on regular basis, along with l
ong duration of fasting, irregular meals and late night meals, have been observe
d to be closely related to the problem of hyperacidity and ulcer.
Zollinger-Ellison (ZE) Syndrome: It is a discrete medical condition where a horm
one called gastrin is secreted by pancreas in abnormally high amounts, which in
turn encourages excessive acid production in the stomach, arousing the occurrenc
e of peptic ulcers.
Stress and sleep disorders: Continued stress is an extremely significant predisp
osing factor towards occurrence as well as worsening of hyperacidity and peptic
ulcers.
Management of Peptic Ulcers
According to Ayurveda, peptic ulcer is termed as Parinama Shula and is described
as the pain felt at a distinct time after consumption of food. Ayurveda further
segregates the problem into different types, according to the predominant dosha
(Vata, Pitta or Kapha) affected, and hence the treatment is specific and varies
according to the doshas.
In case of Vata dosha, medicated enema or precisely certain classical Ayurveda m
edicines consisting of compound herbal formula of herbs like asparagus root and
country mallow processed in oil are used. Mild purgation is suggested in the Pit
ta dosha using grapes, golden shower tree pods, Indian gooseberry and turpeth. I
n the Kapha dosha, induced therapeutic vomiting using sugarcane juice or saline
water is recommended.
It is important to note that the above bio-purifications and detoxifications (Pa
nchakarma) procedures are carried out only under the supervision of Ayurveda exp
erts and are to be more appropriate in conditions of hyperacidity, where definit
e improvement is mostly observed. These are best avoided in patients confirmed w
ith, or having a medical history highly suggestive of peptic ulcers, due to a sm
all but definite risk of perforation and other complications.
Ayurveda offers explicit and highly effective treatment for peptic ulcer . Some
very beneficial herbal medicines known to be effective in this condition are: In
dian gooseberry, Indian pennywort (Tenospora cordifolia), licorice, Indian sarsa
parilla, turmeric, dried unripe banana, king of bitters, pointed gourd, etc.
Complete relief is usually obtained after a period of 1-2 months. In order to pr
event recurrence of symptoms, the patient is further treated with asparagus root
, cowâ s milk fat (ghee), long pepper, etc. For patients not responding to usual medi
cation courses, the total regimen of treatment may need to be repeated in cycles
till complete recovery.
Ayurvedic diet regimen for Peptic Ulcer
It is best to avoid the known aggravating causes of peptic ulcers. A diet of who
le wheat, rice, beans, sugar, honey, ash gourd, pointed gourd, ladyfinger, bottl
e gourd, coconut, pomegranate and milk is recommended. Sesame, black gram, horse
gram, garlic, wet ginger, black pepper, yogurt/curd, spicy, fried and fermented
food products are best avoided.
At rVita health center we analyze the patients the basis of Ayurveda and yoga pr
inciples and create a personalized healing plan with detoxification, pacificatio
n and rejuvenation therapies.
The same treatment can also be availed online too. Click the â rVita personalized con
sultation â tab for help. http://www.rvita.com
For appointments please call 1800 425 4325 (India Only) / 00 91 9500123412 / 91
44 42187226