Where There Is No Doctor 2011 129
♦ Drink a lot of water. Try to drink 2 big glasses of
water both before and after each meal. Also drink a lot
of water frequently between meals. If the pain comes
often, keep drinking water like this, even in those times
when you have no pain.
♦ Avoid tobacco. Smoking or chewing tobacco
increases stomach acid and makes the problem
worse.
♦ Take antacids. The best, safest antacids contain magnesium and aluminum
hydroxide. (See p. 380 for information, dose, and warnings about different antacids.)
♦ If the above treatments do not work, you may have an ulcer. Use 2 medicines
to treat the bacteria that causes the ulcer: either amoxicillin (p. 352) or tetracycline
(p. 355); and metronidazole (p. 368). Also take omeprazole (Prilosec, p. 381) or
ranitidine (Zantac, see p. 381) to reduce the production
of acid in the stomach. These medicines help to calm the
pain and heal the sore.
♦ Aloe vera is a plant found in many countries that
is said to heal ulcers. Chop the spongy leaves into small
pieces, soak them in water overnight, and then drink one
glass of the slimy, bitter water every 2 hours.
CAUTION:
1. Some antacids, some antacids such as sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
and Alka-Seltzer may quickly calm acid indigestion, but soon cause more acid. They
should be used only for occasional indigestion, never for ulcers. This is also true for
antacids with calcium.
2. Some medicines, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, make ulcers worse. Persons
with signs of heartburn or acid indigestion should avoid them—use acetaminophen
instead of aspirin. Cortico-steroids also make ulcers worse (see p. 51).
It is important to treat an ulcer early. Otherwise it may lead to dangerous
bleeding or peritonitis. Ulcers sometimes get better if the person is careful with what
he eats and drinks. Anger, tension, and nervousness increase acid in the stomach.
Learning to relax and keep calm will help. Treatment with antibiotics is necessary to
prevent the ulcer from returning.
Avoid having minor stomach problems get worse by not eating too much, by
not drinking much alcohol or coffee, and by not smoking or using tobacco.