DIGESTIVE SYSTEM -3
ULCERS
Ulcers are sores on the lining of your stomach or small intestine. Sores also could be on your
esophagus (throat). Most ulcers are located in the small intestine.
Ulcers occur when stomach acid damages the lining of the digestive tract.
CAUSES
Most ulcers are cause by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This is a bacterial infection. Acids from
the foods we eat can make the pain and discomfort worse. Long-term use of aspirin or anti-
inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen) is also a common cause of ulcers. Stress and spicy foods
can make an ulcer worse.
TYPES OF ULCERS
While the most common types of ulcers are peptic ulcers, there are many
types, including:
arterial ulcers
venous ulcers
mouth ulcers
genital ulcers
Peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers are sores or wounds that develop on the inside lining of your stomach, the
upper portion of your small intestine, or your esophagus. They form when digestive juices
damage the walls of your stomach or intestine.
Peptic ulcers are most often caused from inflammation after being infected with Helicobacter
pylori (H. pylori) bacteria and long-term use of painkillers.
There are three types of peptic ulcers:
gastric ulcers, or ulcers that develop in the stomach lining
esophageal ulcers, or ulcers that develop in the esophagus
duodenal ulcers, or ulcers that develop in the duodenum (small intestine)
The most common symptom of this condition is a burning pain. Other symptoms may include:
bloating or the feeling of being full
belching
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM -3
ULCERS
heartburn
nausea
vomiting
unexplained weight loss
chest pain
Arterial ulcers
Arterial (ischemic) ulcers are open sores that primarily develop on the outer
side of your ankle, feet, toes, and heels. Arterial ulcers develop from damage
to the arteries due to lack of blood flow to tissue. These forms of ulcers can
take months to heal and require proper treatment to prevent infection and
further complications.
Arterial ulcers have a “punched out” appearance accompanied with a number
of symptoms, including:
red, yellow, or black sores
hairless skin
leg pain
no bleeding
affected area cool to the touch from minimal blood circulation Venous
ulcers
Venous ulcers — the most common type of leg ulcers — are open
wounds often forming on your leg, below your knee and on the inner
area of your ankle. They typically develop from damage to your veins
caused by insufficient blood flow back to your heart.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM -3
ULCERS
In some cases, venous ulcers cause little to no pain unless they’re
infected. Other cases of this condition can be very painful.
Other symptoms you may experience include:
inflammation
swelling
itchy skin
scabbing
discharge
Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers are small sores or lesions that develop in your mouth or the
base of your gums. They’re commonly known as canker sores.
These ulcers are triggered by a number of causes, including:
biting the inside of your cheek
food allergies
hard teeth brushing
hormonal changes
vitamin deficiencies
bacterial infection
diseases
Genital ulcers
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM -3
ULCERS
Genital ulcers are sores that develop on genital areas, including the penis, vagina, anus
or surrounding areas. They are usually caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
but genital ulcers can also be triggered by trauma, inflammatory diseases, or allergic
reactions to skin care products.
In addition to sores, symptoms that may accompany genital ulcers include:
rash or bumps in the affected area
pain or itching
swollen glands in the groin area
fever
SYMPTOMS
blood in your stool, or stool that appears black or tarry
difficulty breathing
feeling faint or losing consciousness
vomiting blood
shortness of breath with activity
fatigue
HERBAL REMEDIES
1-Aspilia Mossambicensis-Pound a handful of fresh leaves or take 1
tablespoonful of dry leaf powder and heat in ½ a liter of water .Take this leaf
decoction ¼ glass 2-3 times a day continuous.
2-Withania Somnifera-A powder made from the roots and stems are taken ¼
teaspoon in a cup of bone soup twice a day for 14 days
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM -3
ULCERS
3-Syzygium Cuminii-Boil a handful of the leaves in 2 litres of water for 15
minutes,let it cool and take ½ a glass thrice a day after meals for 7-14 days.
4-Solanum Nigrum-Pound together both the leaves and immature fruits and
squeeze the juice ,add honey to taste ,take 1 table spoon before every meal
continuous.
5-Rumex Abyssinica-Grate the tubers and dry ,then make powder, add ¼ --
teaspoon on fresh hot milk twice a day after meals for 7-14 days.
6-Centela Asiatica-Dry the whole plant and make powder, soak 1 teaspoon in
2 glasses of very hot water ,let it cool to warm, take 1 glass before meals while
warm twice a day for 14-21 days-
7-Asparagus Flagellaris-(Embere baba-maa ,Lwafumbo –Taita ,Murikano-
Gir,Olangalangwe- Luo)-Dry both the leaves and roots and make powder ,add ½
teaspoon of the powder in 1 glass of hot water ,let it cool and take twice a day
after meals for 7-14 days continuous without breaking.
