Hveragerthi
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Dealing with ulcers
The two most common causes of ulcers are the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, etc.), celecoxib (Celebrex), aspirin, and naproxen (Aleve).
H. pylori is a corkscrew shaped bacteria that screws in to the wall of the stomach then releases ammonia to neutralize the stomach acid to protect itself. It has been linked to the formation of ulcers and stomach cancer. It is believed to be spread by flies landing on food. There is a breath test for it that detects the ammonia it secretes. There is also an antibody test that is considered at least 80% accurate, but I doubt that it is even that close. Antibody tests are notoriously inaccurate primarily due to a process known as serological cross reactivity, which can cause false positives. A stool test is also available, which looks for metabolites and genetic traces of H. pylori. If present mastic gum is the most effective treatment I have seen for H. pylori. Mastic gum has been shown in medical studies to kill H. pylori even in very tiny concentrations. Licorice root is also very effective in treating H. pylori. The DGL form of licorice root is most often used. DGL is just licorice root with the steroidal component removed.
NSAIDs are prostaglandin inhibitors. Prostaglandins are a group of hormones with various functions in the body. They can cause inflammation, treat depression, regulate blood pressure, aid in healing, etc. The most familiar prostaglandins are the inflammatory prostaglandins. Let's say you sprain your wrist. Inflammatory prostaglandins will dilate blood vessels in the area to increase blood flow to the area to bring in oxygen and nutrients to speed healing. When the blood vessels are greatly dilated though they become permeable and start to leak fluid in to the surrounding tissues. This is the inflammation we experience. In a nutshell NSAIDs work by countering the inflammatory prostaglandins, which causes blood vessels to constrict so they do not leak. They also reduce or cut off the blood supply to vital organs, which is why they are so well known for causing heart attack, stroke, liver and kidney failure, tinnitus, loss of vision, etc. In fact ibuprofen killed 2 dozen people during clinical trials from ibuprofen induced hepatitis. And I have seen 4 people personally that developed kidney failure after taking a single recommended dose of ibuprofen. It does not require long term use or overdose to cause these problems. Those with impaired circulation are at the highest risk of these adverse events. These people include those with congestive heart failure, diabetes, smokers, those with adrenal tumors, and people with Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's syndrome. Not all prostaglandins are involved in blood vessel dilation though. One prostaglandin is also responsible for stimulating the production of the protective mucous lining of the stomach. When this prostaglandin is inhibited by NSAIDs the stomach wall is no longer properly protected from the stomach acid and the stomach acid can burn a hole through the stomach wall. If this is the case you should first stay away from all NSAIDs. A tea made from boiling slippery elm, dried and aged comfrey root, and licorice root will help to soothe the stomach tissue and promote healing. The comfrey root needs to be dried and aged for at least a few months to oxidize the liver damaging alkaloids present in the fresh plant. If you cannot find comfrey root you can take plantain leaf instead in capsules or powder. Plantain leaf contains a lower level of allantoin, the healing agent also found in comfrey root. You do not boil plantain leaf though, which is why I recommend taking it separately.