Dear Reader,

Stomach ulcers, a.k.a. peptic ulcers, typically occur in the stomach or the top part of the small intestine -- the former are called "gastric" ulcers, and the latter, "duodenal." For the most part, ulcers develop when the mucus which protects the stomach walls cannot perform its job as well as it used to. When this happens, the stomach acids and pepsins consider this territory free game and move in. Now, instead of only digesting food, the acids and pepsins also begin to digest the stomach or duodenum, and an ulcer is born.

Common thought on ulcers used to be that only hard working and/or stressed out people got ulcers. Lately, some research has shown that many ulcers seem to be caused by a certain bacterium (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori) which anybody (even lazy people) can get. Ulcers tend to run in some families as well. Not having a family history of ulcers, however, doesn't mean you're immune. There are also a number of gastric irritants which can add to the formation of an ulcer, and can exacerbate an existing one, including:

• alcohol
• cigarette smoke
• aspirin
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
• spicy, fatty, and/or acidic foods
• tea
• coffee (with and without caffeine)
• other caffeinated foods and beverages

Milk and milk products, commonly thought to neutralize or buffer stomach acid because of their alkalinity, should also be avoided in larger quantities because they delay the healing of ulcers, most likely because milk protein tends to promote increased gastric acid secretions.

So, your first line of "natural" defense in easing the pain of and in healing an ulcer is to eliminate those products which cannot be tolerated or continue to cause you discomfort. For those of you who may find this recommendation nearly impossible to do (Alice knows caffeine can be a student's best friend!), try gradually reducing your use or consumption of these products until they are easier to cut out of your life entirely. In addition, try munching several "mini-meals" at regular times throughout t he day, as opposed to eating two or three large meals. Smaller meals translate to less acid production at each meal and therefore, more frequent ulcer relief as most ulcer pain subsides for a few hours following a meal.

If these recommendations do not help you sufficiently, Alice suggests a couple of different natural therapies for peptic ulcers that you can try. You can consume a diet rich in fiber, particularly insoluble fiber. Try eating lots of cabbage, which is a good source of insoluble fiber (in the form of cellulose). One doctor recommends eating at least one "healthy serving" (Alice assumes this means a LARGE portion) of steamed cabbage once a day for about two weeks. Besides its fiber content, cabbage conta ins an amino acid (glutamine) that has been shown, in some research, to promote the healing of ulcers.

If you could be experiencing stress and may or may not know it, you can also try some relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation, or tai chi, because they supposedly help the healing of ulcers in individuals whose ulcers are exacerbated (or caused, w hich is unlikely) by stress.

For both of these remedies, expect to wait at least six weeks before you notice any improvement. FYI, if aloe vera gel is recommended to you as a natural ulcer remedy, try something else instead. The reason is that aloe vera gel, including the kind developed specifically for consumption, can cause a violent purgative effect, even in small doses. Alice doubts you would want strong abdominal cramps in addition to your ulcer pain. Talk about being doubled over in pain!

Alice commends you for initially considering natural remedies to soothe your ulcer, but be advised that natural remedies can only treat the symptoms of ulcers, not cure them. So, you will most likely experience recurring ulcer pain. It's important for you to know, if you don't already, that there is now a CURE for peptic ulcers. As mentioned previously, your ulcer may be the result of H. pylori, which is a bacteria that is present in the stomach lining. If you find that the natural remedies are not working well or only temporarily, and should you decide to seek medical care, consider consulting a gastroenterologist. You will be tested for the presence of H. pylori. If the test is positive, then you will receive a treatment regimen of three or four kinds of antibiotics to be taken in combination for at least two weeks (most people are cured within six weeks). And, since this is a cure (although it is only for those whose ulcers are caused by H. pylori), the best thing is that recurrence rates are very low following completed treatment.

Finally, be aware that ulcers can sometimes present greater health risks, and that you still need to see a health care provider about them. You can discuss alternative treatment options with him or her, and let him or her know that you would like to try them out first before heading straight for the antacids or prescription drugs.

So when's that pizza (study) break?

Alice