Stomach ulcer is a common disease that is an extremely urgent problem for gastroenterology. The danger of this pathology lies in the fact that it often acquires a complicated course and may even cause the death of a sick person. One of the main points in the treatment of stomach ulcers is adherence to a special diet in conjunction with drug therapy. A diet for stomach ulcers will help not only improve the patient’s quality of life, but also reduce the likelihood of developing serious complications.  

Stomach ulcer: what is this disease?

A stomach ulcer is a chronic disease prone to relapse. From a morphological point of view, it is characterized by the formation of a defect in the gastric mucosa and underlying tissues. To date, Helicobacter pylori infection is considered the main cause of this pathology , but the role of other factors cannot be excluded either.

As we have already said, peptic ulcer disease is currently one of the most pressing problems for medicine. According to statistics, about 500 thousand new cases of this disease are reported annually. Most often, such a pathological process is diagnosed in people aged 55 to 65 years, however, in recent years, more and more cases of this pathology have been recorded in a younger age group. It is noteworthy that stomach ulcers are much more common in women, while duodenal ulcers are more common in men. About 35 percent of patients subsequently develop serious complications.  

In 2012, scientists from Belgorod Medical University conducted research aimed at assessing the course of peptic ulcer disease among people with schizophrenia compared with mentally healthy patients with a somatic profile. As a result, it was found that peptic ulcer disease in schizophrenia acquires specific, distinctive properties from the usual course. First of all, this is the predominant gastric and combined localization of ulcerative defects, while isolated damage to the duodenum is much less common.

We have already said that the main cause of stomach ulcers is Helicobacter pylori infection. In a bacteriological study, these bacteria are found in more than 80 percent of patients suffering from this pathology. However, it is worth noting that Helicobacter pylori infection alone is usually not enough. For the occurrence of ulcerative defects, the presence of other predisposing factors is also necessary.

First of all, this can include severe stress, malnutrition and excessive secretory activity of the stomach. Alcohol abuse and smoking, long-term use of ulcerogenic drugs, for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the presence of a gastrin-producing tumor – all this contributes to the development of ulcers.

The main clinical manifestations of stomach ulcers are:

• Pain in the epigastric region, aggravated after eating or on an empty stomach (with antral localization of the ulcer);
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting, relieving;
• Bloating and heartburn. 

Possible complications that threaten the patient’s life include bleeding from a peptic ulcer, perforation of the gastric wall. In addition, it is believed that stomach ulcers tend to become malignant.

All of the above suggests that gastric ulcer is an extremely serious problem that requires immediate treatment.

Diet for stomach ulcers: nutritional features

As we said, a stomach ulcer diet is one of the key points for a speedy recovery. With this disease, treatment table No. 1 is prescribed. The main direction of the diet is to eliminate all foods that irritate the gastric mucosa and increase gastric secretion.  

The patient is advised to divide the daily diet into 4 or 5 meals. Ideally, the maximum break between meals should not exceed 3.5 hours. Preference should be given to cooked food or steamed food. Another important point is that the food should be at the optimum temperature, i.e. not too hot or too cold.

It is imperative to monitor the maintenance of water balance in the body. For this purpose, it is recommended to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. The daily amount of salt in the diet is reduced to 6-8 grams. With an exacerbation, it is best to completely exclude it.

What foods are allowed and prohibited in the diet?

The diet for stomach ulcers should meet the daily needs of the body, be balanced. The patient is allowed to eat dried, yesterday’s white bread, unpalatable baked goods. Non-acidic dairy products with a low percentage of fat, dairy and vegetarian soups are also allowed. From vegetables with an ulcer, you can use everything except cabbage, turnips, spinach, radish, radish, garlic and onions. The diet includes lean meats and boiled fish. Other permitted products include various types of cereals, except millet, ripe fruits and sweet berries, boiled eggs, honey. From drinks, preference should be given to green or weakly brewed black tea, rosehip broth, sweet fruit and berry juices.

Prohibited foods for stomach ulcers include:

• Fatty meat and fish;
• Dairy products;
• Bread dough products and bakery products from rye flour;
• Fiber-rich vegetables, sour and bitter vegetables;
• Legumes and mushrooms;
• Millet porridge.

In addition, any alcohol is strictly prohibited. Sour juices, strong black tea and coffee, carbonated drinks are also prohibited from drinks. Spicy and pickled dishes, smoked meats and canned food – all this should be abandoned for the onset of a speedy recovery. As we said earlier, it is imperative to exclude the use of fried foods.

This diet is designed for a long time. As a rule, it is prescribed for at least three months.