Alternative Treatment For Duodenal Ulcers
Abstract
Nowadays, the number of patients with gastric complaints are increasing at an accelerated rate. This has led to a fearful environment where everyone is scared and seems very pessimistic about the cure. One such feeling of despair of recovery is seen in the patients of duodenal ulcers as they have become tired of taking antacids and pain relievers for their condition. Today in this topic we will try to know about duodenal ulcers, it’s alternative treatment in Ayurveda.
Introduction
Duodenal ulcers are the sores on the lining of our intestines (small), stomach, or oesophagus. Duodenum is the initial part of the small intestine in which the food enters after it takes an exit from the stomach. This is the very site where bile from gallbladder and enzymes from pancreas get mixed.
Causes
The main causative organism in duodenal ulcers is H.pylori infection. But there are some other causes also like:
- Regular use of painkillers especially belonging to class of NSAIDs (Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs)
- Stress
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Spicy food consumption
Symptoms
Following are the symptoms of duodenal ulcers:
- Pain in stomach which is relieved by eating or drinking milk
- Sensation of fullness, bloating
- Heartburn due to reflux of acid
- Nausea
Diagnosis
When presenting with the above mentioned complaints, your doctor might be questioning you about the history of pain relievers abuse, if any. He may also advise some laboratory diagnostic tests such as:
- Blood work: For the presence of H.pylori. Same could be done with the help of a breath test.
- Endoscopy: It is another option to diagnose and take the sample for the purpose of histopathological examination.
- Barium swallow: In this technique, there is a liquid containing barium is to be swallowed that coats the digestive tract and hence the ulcers become more visible in X-ray.
Treatment in allopathy
The approach of treatment of peptic ulcers in the allopathy is very suppressive in nature rather than curative. They prescribe antibiotics and antacids to manage the production of acid in the stomach. This prolonged use of antibiotics causes double damage to the body. In some cases proton pump inhibitors are prescribed which inhibits the production of acid which is against natural phenomena.
Ayurvedic point of view
In Ayurvedic ancient texts the concept of disease and health is somewhat different from modern science. Modern science is more or less dependent on the physical plane of the body only, very little emphasis is given to the basic composition of life. In Ayurveda, life exists in the form of soul and body in a perfect balance. This balance is achieved by an energy which is responsible to carry on various life processes. For example it is not merely acid which is digesting the food, but there is an energy called Agni. Now, one must think what exactly is this energy formed of. To answer this, we have to understand the concept of five elements. According to Ayurveda, the body is composed of these five elements itself i.e Space, Air, Fire, Water and Soil. Two of these five elements come together in a fixed proportion to compose a dosha. There are three doshas like Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These doshas co-exist in an equilibrium state in a healthy individual. Any person on this planet suffers from any disease only due to an imbalance of one of these dosha. In duodenal ulcers the dosha involved is Pitta dosha.
The Goodnews!?
The good news is that Duodenal Ulcers is preventable and reversible, but can only be possible by using holistic approach, the one advocated in Ayurveda that addresses the issues from the very root.
Since ancient times, Ayurveda has defined diseases with their symptoms, causes and healing methods with nature.
If you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, don’t assume it is Duodenal Ulcers yet without any proper diagnosis because there are other Throat related diseases that comes with the same symptoms. Consult with a Doctor for accurate diagnosis to find out if Duodenal Ulcers is what you are having or any other related disease.