Before the discovery of H. pylori, doctors often advised people with ulcers to eat a restricted diet and reduce the amount of stress in their lives. Now that food and stress have been eliminated as direct causes of ulcers, these factors are no longer of as much importance. However, while an ulcer is healing, it's still advisable to watch what you eat and to control stress. Acidic or spicy foods may increase ulcer pain. The same is true for stress. Stress may increase acid and slow digestion, allowing food and digestive acid to remain in your stomach and intestines for a longer period. If stress is severe, it may delay the healing of an ulcer.
Your doctor may also give you this advice:
- Don't smoke. Smoking may interfere with the protective lining of the stomach, making your stomach more susceptible to the development of an ulcer. Smoking also increases stomach acid.
- Limit or avoid alcohol. Excessive use of alcohol can irritate and erode the mucous lining in your stomach and intestines, causing inflammation and bleeding.
- Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you use pain relievers regularly, use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
- Control acid reflux. If you have an esophageal ulcer — usually associated with acid reflux — you can take several steps to help manage acid reflux. These include avoiding spicy and fatty foods, avoiding reclining after meals for at least three hours, raising the head of your bed and reducing your weight. Avoiding smoking, alcohol and NSAIDs also may help to control acid reflux.
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