Recently news broke that singer Bruce Springsteen has postponed all the shows of his latest tour as he is receiving treatment for a peptic ulcer. As per a statement released by the 74-year-old singer on Wednesday, he informed that his doctor had advised him that the stress of a tour could worsen his peptic ulcer.
As per a 2022 study titled, ‘Quality of care of peptic ulcer disease worldwide,’ peptic ulcer disease (PUD) affects four million people worldwide annually and has an estimated lifetime prevalence of 5−10% in the general population. To understand more about this disease, the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Dr Jagan Mohan Reddy Bathalapalli, General Surgery, Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Hyderabad.
What Is Peptic Ulcer Disease?
PUD is characterised by ulcers, or open sores on the stomach and intestinal lining. Peptic ulcers are basically festering wounds through which stomach acid can leak and corrode other parts of the body. “One common reason for peptic ulcers is a bacterial infection, in which the bacteria eats away the protective lining of the digestive tract. Prolonged painkiller use is another common cause,” informed Dr Bathalapalli.
The mere definition of PUD makes it obvious that it is a painful disease. In early cases, PUD might not exhibit any noticeable symptoms, but when it is too late, it can cause symptoms that are rather murky and hard to ignore, shared Dr Bathalapalli as he listed:
- Moderate to severe abdominal pain that spreads from the navel to the chest.
- Changes in appetite
- Nausea
- Red or black stools
- Drastic weight loss
- Indigestion
- Chest discomfort
- Acid Reflex
Also Read: Stomach Ulcers Home Remedies: Easy Ways To Prevent Yourself From Them
Diet For Peptic Ulcer
A peptic ulcer is commonly referred to as a stomach ulcer. Since the stomach is the first defender of our digestive system, it's obvious that peptic ulcers can make eating a painful task. However, Diet is a key part of any health-related treatment, that can fastrack the healing effect of medicines, and aid your body’s self-healing abilities. So, eating right is essential for those suffering from a peptic ulcer. Speaking to the team of OnlyMyHealth, Amreen Shaikh, Head Dietician And Nutritionist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai shared some dietary guidelines for PUD:
- Eat healthy foods in several smaller portions. Eat soft meals that do not make your digestive system work too hard to digest. Avoid bread and cheese. Your meals should be well-cooked and consumed at moderate temperatures.
- Avoid black pepper, chilli and other spices that can irritate the stomach lining. Avoid Citrus fruits. In no circumstances should you indulge in alcohol, smoking, caffeine, chocolates, fried foods, and carbonated beverages.
- Drink milk in moderation.
- Make it your religion to drink at least eight to ten glasses of water every day.
- Don't wear tight clothes or tight belts.
- If you're overweight or obese, take healthy steps to lose weight.
- Eat foods like yoghurt which are brimming with probiotics that help fight PUD-causing bacteria.
- Eating fibre can actually prevent stomach ulcers. Apples, pears, and oatmeal are excellent sources of easy-to-digest fibre, which absorbs stomach acid and hence provides relief from bloating and pain.
- Eat foods rich in Vitamin A like sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach as they help treat stomach ulcers.
Also Read: Stomach Ulcer Diet: Stomach Ulcers Giving You Sleepless Nights? Here’s What To Eat, What To Avoid
The rock legend, Bruce Springsteen’s recent diagnosis has opened up a conversation about peptic ulcers. Both the experts shared how peptic ulcers can be prevented if you follow a healthy lifestyle and good hygiene. However, it is hard to prevent bacterial infections, a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced meal, a good night’s sleep, diligent hydration, and mindfulness goes miles in building your body’s immunity and providing you with a shield to ward off health issues.