… Continued …
Dont’s | Do’s |
---|---|
Don’t eat at irregular times, including eating too late at night! Also, avoid particular foods that worsen your symptoms such as spicy and fatty foods! | Stay with a healthy-balanced diet, eat at regular times! Include more healthy foods high in vitamins and other essential nutrients to help boost your recovery! |
Don’t drink alcohol (if possible) until you have a complete recovery from the disease! Alcohol can hurt your stomach lining, making your ulcer heal more slowly. Avoid also coffee and caffeinated-soda drinks since they can cause stomach discomforts. | If you cannot stop drinking alcohol, reduce it gradually or drink only in moderation. When you drink, sip it slowly. Consider also alternatives to cut down on alcohol such as fruit juices. Another idea, do exercise regularly to help promote emotional well-being. |
Avoid smoking! Tobacco smoke can worsen the outcome of the disease. Even it might cause a refractory ulcer, a condition when your ulcer fails to heal. | Get used to something that keeps both of your hands active and promote a smoke-free life such as exercise, walking your dog, or trying a new hobby with people who don’t smoke. Other ideas, try alternative choices for your oral fixation such as eating sunflower seeds, carrot sticks, or taking nicotine replacement therapy. Though quitting is not easy for most smokers, try to to avoid smoking at least until the open sore of your ulcer is completely healed. |
Don’t take NSAIDs or other medications containing NSAID ingredients, particularly if regular use of NSAIDs is the underlying cause of your ulcer! These include aspirin, ibuprofen, lodine, ketoprofen, naproxen, and sulindac. | Ask your doctor for any alternatives of pain relief. For example, acetaminophen may be prescribed because it doesn’t cause and worsen ulcers. Or if you do need NSAIDs, take them with food (after eating) at lowest dose possible. Also, avoid alcohol and smoking when you take NSAIDs! |
Don’t let stress take control! Uncontrolled stress can affect your healing process, making your ulcer more difficult to heal. | Have enough sleep every day! This can be so helpful to manage your stress. If necessary, consider extra therapies, yoga for example, to help soothe your stress level. |
Don’t live in a crowded environment with poor sanitation! | Stay with good personal hygiene practices to reduce your risk of getting H-pylori infection. For example, wash your hands thoroughly before eating or after going to the toilet. |
Don’t change or stop your medications without talking with your doctor, even though if your symptoms have relieved! For example, if you early discontinue taking your antibiotics, this may lead to antibiotic resistance and your infection is more difficult to treat. | Take the entire course of your treatment until your ulcer is completely cured. Follow properly the instructions given by your doctor! |
*This article is probably not comprehensive enough for every people with ulcers. For more guidance, always consult with your healthcare provider!