Fiber can repair peptic ulcers?

Ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, are lesions that originate in the stomach (gastric ulcer) or in the first part of the intestine (duodenal ulcer). These injuries are similar to a crater and do not heal easily.

The peptic ulcers originate because the protective factors of the stomach and intestine are diminished, increasing the affectation of irritants, causing inflammation and injury of the affected tissue.

Initially, it was thought that stress and poor eating habits were responsible for generating peptic ulcers; however, these ideas have changed.

If the patient presents with gastritis or peptic ulcers, an infection with Helicobacter pylori is suspected, which is a bacterium that modifies the environment of the stomach, increasing the propensity to suffer gastritis or some type of ulcer.

It has also been seen that the prolonged use of pain medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs), inhibit the production of the mucosa lining the stomach, making it vulnerable to the action of gastric juices.

H. pylori infection affects approximately half of the world population, with this prevalence being higher in developing countries, such as Mexico. In 1998, a study conducted in our country found infection by this bacterium in about 70% of adults.

Regarding the treatment and management of peptic ulcers, it is important to say that it depends on the cause of the ulcer; For example, if it is due to prolonged use of pain medication, you should consider changing the medication or decreasing the dose.

In case peptic ulcers are due to infection by H. pylori, the recommendation should be aimed at eliminating the bacteria, for which specific antibiotics are usually used.

Diet is important because it can help give relief to the digestive tract during periods of pain and inflammation. It is likely that a fractionated soft diet is recommended (5 times a day) but it should always be at the patient's tolerance.

There is not enough scientific evidence to show that a diet high in fiber help heal peptic ulcers Moreover, in those patients with ulcers, it is likely that the consumption of fiber cause pain

When people have symptoms of peptic ulcers, such as severe abdominal pain that gets worse when they spend many hours without eating, nausea, vomiting or change in appetite, it is important to go to a health professional to monitor and give proper treatment.

Remember that a correct diet that includes adequate consumption of fiber and healthy habits, helps to reduce the risk of presenting a condition.