Homoeopathic treatment for peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, duodenum and oesophagus. If they develop in stomach, they are called gastric ulcers. If they develop in the upper part of small intestine (i.e duodenum), they are called duodenal ulcers. And if they develop in the lower part of oesophagus, they are called as oesophageal ulcers.

Out of these, gastric and duodenal ulcers are more common. Peptic ulcers are mostly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection and long term use of Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, aspirin. If you are suffering from peptic ulcer, then it’s better to avoid spicy foods, as they may aggravate the condition. Stress also aggravates peptic ulcers.

The main symptom is pain in the upper part of abdomen. If the pain comes immediately after eating, then it is due to gastric ulcer. If the pain comes 3 to 4 hours after eating or at night or on empty stomach in the morning, then it is due to duodenal ulcer. Other symptoms include heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, bloating. Since symptoms of gastric ulcer come immediately after eating, the patient tries to avoid eating anything and this leads to weight loss.

On the contrary, since duodenal ulcer pain is relieved by eating, patient tries to eat at frequent intervals and hence gains weight.

Common homoeopathic medicines for peptic ulcer:

Abies canadensis: Best homoeopathic medicine for duodenal ulcer. Great appetite; craving for meat, radishes, pickles, turnips. Tendency to eat far beyond capacity for digestion. Burning and distension of stomach and duodenum with palpitation.

Abies nigra: Best homoeopathic medicine for gastric ulcer. Pain in stomach always comes on after eating. Sensation as if a hard-boiled egg had lodged in the cardiac-end of the stomach. Total loss of appetite in the morning but great craving for food at noon and at night.

Arsenicum album: Burning pain along with restlessness. Great thirst; drinks much, but little at a time. Nausea, vomiting after eating or drinking. Gastralgia from slightest food or drink.

Phosphorus: Pain in stomach; relieved by cold food. Inflammmation of stomach with burning extending to throat and bowels. Sour taste and sour eructations after every meal. Belching large quantities of wind after eating.

Nux vomica: Epigastrium bloated, with pressure of a stone, several hours after eating. Region of stomach very sensitive to pressure. Nausea in the morning after eating. Weight and pain in the stomach; worse eating, some time after. Difficult belching of gas. Wants to vomit, but cannot.