Peptic Ulcer

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Eliminate foods that cause an allergic response or to which there is a sensitivity (fast, use an elimination diet, or allergy test to isolate such foods)
Drink only good (reverse-osmosis) water every day - this removes, among other things, chlorine which increases stomach acid
Increase dietary fiber to 30 - 45 grams per day if ulcer is duodenal
Avoid dairy products
Drink one quart of cabbage juice daily
Eat less protein
Eat smaller meals
Avoid spicy foods, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Vitamin A: 20,000 I.U. TID
Vitamin B12 (especially if taking Cimetidine): 1,000 mcg. IM every week
Vitamin C (buffered): 2 - 4 gm.
Vitamin E: 400 - 800 I.U.
Zinc: 30 mg. TID
Selenium: 200 mcg.
Copper: 2 - 4 mg.

Supplements: (references)

Glutamine: 500 - 1000 mg. TID
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 2 -5 gm. TID
Omega-6 Fatty Acids: 1 gm. TID
Digestive Enzymes: 2 tablets with each meal
Hydrochloric Acid: 10 - 70 grains per meal (if gastric ulcer and hypochlorhydric)

Botanicals: (references)

Dry herbs - Althea (220 mg.), Geranium (220 mg.), Echinacea (220 mg.), Ulmus (220 mg.), Curcuma (220 mg.), Hydrastis (84 mg.): 2 caps with each meal
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (380 mg. tablets): chew 2 tablets TID

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

General ulcer:
Ars, Ars-I, Asaf, Carb-V, Kali-Br, Kali-Chl, Kali-S, Lach, Lyc, Merc, Nit-Ac, Phyt, Puls, Sil, Sulph
Burning ulcer:
Anthr, Ars, Carb-S, Carb-V, Caust, Lyc, Puls, Rhus-T, Sulph
Gnawing ulcer with pain:
Dros., Staph
(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

Constitutional hydrotherapy
Exercise 20 minutes a day for 4-5 days weekly
Quit smoking
Don't take aspirin or NSAIDs
Reduce stress by exercise, breathing, yoga, etc.

Recommended Labs:

Check for peptic ulcer: Endoscopy, Upper GI Series
Rule out biliary colic: Liver Panel, Abdomenal Ultrasound, Hepatobiliary Scintography
Rule out candidiasis: Candida Panel
Rule out chronic gastritis: Endoscopy with Biopsy
Rule out gall bladder disease (cholecystitis): Ultrasound, Palpation, Nuclear Medicine Scanning, Hepatobiliary Scintography, Blood Chemistry
Rule out gallstones (cholelithiasis): Ultrasound, Cholecystography, Blood Chemistry, CBC with Diff, Upright/Supine Abdomenal X-Ray
Rule out gastroesophageal reflux: Upper GI Series, Gastric Scintiscan, Manometry, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Rule out Helicobacter pylori: H. pylori Antibody, H. pylori Antigen, H. pylori Breath, Rapid Urease, Endoscopy with Biopsy
Rule out hiatal hernia: Barium X-Ray, Endoscopy
Rule out mesenteric artery ischemia: Prothrombin Time, CBC with Diff, Blood Chemistry, Chest X-Ray, CT Scan, Biplane Aortography, Arteriography
Rule out myocardial ischemia: Blood Chemistry, Serum Cardiac Markers, CRP, B-Type Naturietic Peptide, Echocardiogram, Nuclearcardio Techniques
Rule out pancreatic cancer: CA19-9, CEA, CT Scan, Endoscopic Ultrasonography, MRI
Rule out pancreatitis: Amylase, Lipase, Trypsin, Blood Chemistry, CRP, CBC, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, Arterial Blood Gases, Abdominal CT Scan,Abdominal Ultrasound, Endoscopic Ultrasonography
Rule out recurrent pyogenic cholangitis: CBC, Liver Function, Prothrombin Time, Blood Cultures, Ova and Parasites, MRCP

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.