What can people with peptic ulcers eat?

Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 17, 2024
00:00
00:00

Peptic ulcers include duodenal bulb ulcers, gastric ulcers, complex ulcers, etc. In such cases, formal treatment should be administered first. Depending on whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, different treatment plans should be adopted. At the same time, it is important to develop good dietary and living habits, quit smoking and drinking, and ensure that the diet is light and easy to digest. While ensuring adequate nutrition, efforts should be made to minimize gastric irritation. Foods like soft and mushy rice, porridge, and soft noodles are preferable. Fresh vegetables and fruits are fine. Try to avoid overly cold, greasy, spicy, or irritating foods. Be sure to eat regularly and in moderation or have small, frequent meals, and avoid binge eating.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
1min 1sec home-news-image

How is peptic ulcer treated?

The treatment of peptic ulcers mainly depends on their cause. It is generally believed that infection with Helicobacter pylori is most closely related to peptic ulcers. In such cases, the first step is to check for Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is an infection, antibacterial treatment is generally used, with the common regimen being quadruple therapy: a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics and a bismuth agent. If there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatic treatment is generally sufficient. The preferred method is to use acid-suppressing and stomach-lining-protecting medications, combined with symptomatic treatment. At the same time, it is helpful to develop good dietary and living habits, opt for a light and easy-to-digest diet, and eat regularly in fixed amounts. Avoid overeating and excessive fatigue; abstain from smoking and alcohol, and maintaining a good mood all help. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
51sec home-news-image

Etiology of Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and so on. It is currently believed that about 80% of peptic ulcers are related to infection with Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, poor dietary and living habits are closely linked to the formation of peptic ulcers, such as excessive smoking and drinking, overeating cold, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods, as well as strong tea, coffee, etc. Moreover, many medications can cause damage to the gastric mucosa, leading to gastric ulcers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, emotional excitement and major trauma and other stress responses can also lead to acute gastric mucosal lesions, resulting in peptic ulcers.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
58sec home-news-image

Symptoms of peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcers typically include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, and complex ulcers, among others, all of which feature upper abdominal pain. For gastric ulcers, the pain is generally located below the xiphoid process or in the upper left abdomen, primarily occurring after meals and often accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal bloating and acid reflux. Duodenal bulb ulcers usually present as hunger-like pain in the upper abdomen, which can be alleviated by eating and may include nighttime pain, often with significant acid reflux and heartburn. These can be definitively diagnosed via gastroscopy. Additionally, many elderly individuals may develop gastric ulcers after taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often without significant pain, typically requiring a gastroscopy for accurate diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
1min 8sec home-news-image

Principles of treatment for peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers include gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, complex ulcers, etc. There can be many complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, and if not healed over a long period, degeneration may occur, leading to the development of gastric cancer. Therefore, peptic ulcers must be treated promptly. As for the principles of treatment, they should be determined based on specific symptoms and whether there is a Helicobacter pylori infection. If there is a Helicobacter pylori infection, the general approach is to use quadruple therapy for antibacterial treatment; if there is no Helicobacter pylori infection, treatment generally focuses on symptomatic relief, such as suppressing stomach acid, protecting the mucosa, and increasing gastric motility, etc. At the same time, it is essential to pay attention to regular eating and living habits, eating on a regular schedule or having small, frequent meals. Avoid overeating, as well as stimulating substances like cold, greasy, and spicy foods. Additionally, it is important to keep warm and get plenty of rest.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
55sec home-news-image

Can peptic ulcers be cured?

Peptic ulcers include gastric ulcers, duodenal bulb ulcers, complex ulcers, and more. The primary cause is usually Helicobacter pylori infection, particularly in patients with duodenal bulb ulcers. Generally, eradicating Helicobacter pylori can cure the ulcer. However, a small number of patients, due to underlying diseases or irregular medication use, often develop resistance to Helicobacter pylori. In such cases, peptic ulcers are prone to recurrent flares. Additionally, peptic ulcers caused by other factors, such as smoking and alcohol stimulation, poor dietary habits, medication, emotional issues, etc., can generally be cured by removing the triggers. However, it's essential to develop good dietary and living habits and strictly follow medical advice regarding medications.