Common myths about ulcers debunked

You have probably heard someone say something about ulcers and perhaps it startled you for a moment.

Have you ever heard about the saying, ‘A kiss is just a kiss -- unless it gives you an ulcer?’ Well, turns out it’s not just a saying but there is some truth in it! The most common cause of ulcers is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori.

When you kiss, you and your partner can exchange the bacteria back and forth until you both get treated for it at the same time.

Shocked? Let’s debunk some of the common myths about Ulcers. But before then, what exactly IS ulcers?

Peptic ulcers (peptic means related to the digestive system) are open sores on the lining of your stomach, upper small intestine (duodenum) or esophagus.

You can have more than one ulcer. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC); it possible to for ulcers to be found in ones stomach, and also in their duodenum.

With that clear, let’s now put to rest once and for all some of the most common myths about ulcers.

Ulcers are caused by stress and anxiety eating you up inside.

One of the most common ulcer myths is that they are caused when a person is experiencing high levels of stress. This is actually false! Health experts say that Stress can aggravate an existing medical condition but it alone can’t cause ulcers.

Stress is not only a psychological condition but it too affects how our body works. Our heart rate increases and our gastric juices become active. If you have an existing ulcer it can make the condition worse by interacting with open wounds in the stomach.

Spicy foods can cause an ulcer

Spicy foods are yet to be proven as the primary cause of stomach ulcer. However, if you already have ulcers in your stomach linings, consuming an extremely spicy diet can lead to aggravation of the existing disease condition.

On the contrary, many medical studies have shown that spices can actually have a preventive impact on ulcers, with research indicating that people who more regularly eat spicy food are less likely to develop one than those who don’t.

To heal ulcers, eat only white foods (milk, potatoes, rice).

Especially Milk has been misquoted as a cure for Ulcers. Well the truth is that Milk can counteract the effects of spices and lessen its effects for people suffering from ulcers. It provides temporary relief from the effects of ulcers but is not a treatment. Milk by nature is alkaline which can neutralize stomach acids.

Alcohol cannot make an ulcer worse

Run for your life. This is actually false. We all know that everything in excess is bad for your health. Drinking large amounts of alcohol increases your risk for developing ulcers.

Doctors say alcohol can cause bleeding complications and irritates sensitive stomach lining. Alcohol intake, together with medication, can also worsen or cause ulcers, studies have proven.

There's no cure. You just have to live with ulcers

Absolute false statement. Most ulcers heal well with treatment. If your ulcer is caused by an H. pylori infection, it is treated with antibiotics and acid-reducing drugs.

Health experts say that Peptic ulcers that don't heal with treatment are refractory ulcers. They can result from not taking medications as directed, antibiotic resistance, tobacco and alcohol.