Stomach ulcers can be so so so painful. It is a burning feeling in your belly that just won’t go away. Some ulcers are caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, while others come from too much acid irritating the stomach lining.
According to Dr. Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, in a post on Instagram, here are 9 things you should avoid if you’re living with an ulcer:
1. Carbonated drinks
The fizz can increase stomach acid and cause gas and bloating, irritating the ulcer.
2. Coffee
Coffee stimulates acid production in the stomach, which can worsen pain and slow healing.
3. Pepper (scotch bonnet / hot pepper)
Spicy foods can inflame the stomach lining and aggravate ulcer symptoms.
4. Chocolate
Chocolate contains caffeine and other compounds that may boost acid secretion and trigger discomfort.
5. Citrus fruits
Oranges, lemons, limes are very acidic and may lead to heartburn or burning in ulcerated areas.
6. Alcohol
Alcohol irritates and erodes the mucous lining of the stomach, making ulcers worse.
7. Cigarettes
Smoking reduces blood flow to the stomach lining and impairs healing of ulcers.
8. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, e.g. ibuprofen, diclofenac)
These drugs can damage the stomach lining and may be a root cause of some ulcers.
9. Stress
While stress doesn’t directly cause ulcers, it can worsen symptoms and slow down healing by increasing stomach acid and reducing repair mechanisms.
