Stomach pain and the development of gastric ulcers

Gnawing pain in the abdomen that comes on several hours after eating and may be severe enough to wake you, can be early signs of a gastric ulcer.

Heartburn and indigestion may accompany such discomfort.  Sufferers often resort to milk or food to soothe the pain and placate what feels like a biting monster, deep in the abdomen. Taking antacids is a natural response to regular bouts of such pain but in fact they can make things worse! They temporarily reduce the stomach’s acid content but the stomach’s response to such intervention can sometimes be to actually raise the levels of hydrochloric acid.

Herbal medicine has often traditionally been used.  Plant extracts may provide a better and more natural protection for the delicate gastric lining, without disrupting its function. The natural chemicals in plants may also help to heal any damage that has already been done to tissue.

Left untreated, the inflammation and acidic erosion of the stomach lining can become so severe that a bleeding ulcer forms. If this ulcer is in the stomach it is called a peptic ulcer but the more common form of gastric ulcer is at the top of the small intestine and is called a duodenal ulcer.

 

Causes of gastric ulcers

Excess acid production, because of stress and disturbances in the lining of the stomach and duodenum, is thought to be behind the development of such ulcers.  But there is also evidence that bacterial invasion, by Helicobacter pylori, can cause such disturbance. This leads to inflammation and damages the gastric lining, making it vulnerable to acid.

Other causes are excessive use of some over-the-counter pain killers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetemol. Smoking and alcohol also seem to increase the risk of gastric ulceration.

The natural answer is to both protect the mucosal lining and reduce the production of acid in the first place. Scientific research is also currently examining the actions of some anti-bacterial herbs on H.pylori .

Herbal medicine may help as a natural and effective way of relieving stomach pain and gastric irritation. Each individual prescription from a medical herbalist will use a special blend of herbs depending on your own set of circumstances.

However, if there are signs of internal bleeding and other new symptoms have developed, further medical investigation is required.