Stomach ulcers are small holes in the stomach lining. The direct cause is excess hydrochloric acid. The main symptom is burning pain felt after eating. The pain may occur anytime between 30 minutes to 3 hours after meals.

It’s a very common condition, with about 4 million Americans being affected each year. Ulcers can run in families, and are associated with excess alcohol consumption and smoking, and an improper diet.

Ulcers can be caused by the bacteria H. pylori. In this case the only effective treatment is antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.

Dietary considerations are very important in treating ulcers. Eating several small meals a day will avoid the acid secretions associated with hunger. It is important to neither over-eat nor go hungry.

Eat slowly and chew your food well. Take your time and relax at meal time. Maintain a good posture while eating, and sit upright for at least one hour afterwards.

Caffeine and acidic food can irritate the stomach, so avoid these kinds of foods. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, cola and chocolate. Acidic foods are things like tomatoes and citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, grapefruit).

Each meal should include a good source of protein, like meat, eggs or cheese. Milk is also a source of protein, but it should not be consumed by people with ulcers. Milk actually aggravates ulcer conditions.

Avoid bedtime snacks. They can cause acid secretion during sleep, which will aggravate ulcers.

To ease the pain from ulcers, here are a few things you can try. Honey is very helpful in calming digestive problems. It works by coating the stomach and aiding digestion.

Bananas are also beneficial for soothing the stomach. Three bananas a day are a good supplement to any diet.

Raw cabbage has been found beneficial in soothing and healing ulcers. It can be juiced along with carrots for a palatable drink. Take it before meals and at bedtime.

Licorice root and marshmallow root are both good in the treatment of ulcers. They can be taken in the form of a tea. Take a teaspoon of the dried root, add boiling water, let steep for fifteen minutes and drink slowly. This tea can be taken three times a day after meals, or any time you are experiencing pain from ulcers.