What to Eat When You Have an Ulcer

Suffering from stomach ulcers or gastritis can be quite distressing with all the pain, discomfort and food restrictions. An ulcer, also referred to as peptic ulcer, is a sore that is formed in the gastrointestinal tract due to a bacterial infection. The main culprit behind it is the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which attack the inner lining of the digestive tract and cause damage. This leads to the eruption of sores, or ulcers, in the digestive tract lining. Certain medications are also known to cause ulcers, since they erode the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Some doctors believe that stress also is a culprit in aggravating this condition. The food we eat is also responsible for aggravating or reducing the symptoms. Hence a stomach ulcer diet is designed for this condition and includes foods that are ulcer friendly and help in reducing the severity of the ulcers.

Foods to Eat When You Have a Stomach Ulcer

Generally, doctors advice the patient to follow certain diet restrictions to minimize the pain and discomfort caused due to this distressing disorder. Here is a list of what you can eat when you have a stomach ulcer.

• Bagels
• Barley
• Cereals
• Crackers
• Dinner rolls
• English muffins
• French toast
• Low fat pancakes
• Bran flakes
• Oatmeal
• Noodles
• Pasta
• Pita breads
• Waffles
• Whole wheat bread
• Cabbage
• Cabbage juice
• Potatoes, mashed or baked
• Celery
• Kale
• Salad greens
• Apples
• Bananas
• Berries
• Cranberries
• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Melons
• Peaches
• Pears
• Plums
• Wood apples
• Milk
• Legumes
• Beans
• Soy products
• Tofu
• Lean meat
• Poultry
• Seafood

Foods to Avoid When You Have a Stomach Ulcer

Being aware of the foods to avoid with ulcers is an added advantage. Not including them will be helpful as these foods can worsen the condition.

• Chocolate and other cocoa products
• Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruit
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Condiments like nutmeg, cinnamon, mustard, cloves etc.
• Garlic, ginger and other spices
• Pickled vegetables
• Junk foods like potato chips, fries and other fried foods
• Peppermint
• Foods that induce bloating and gas like Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, sauerkraut, cauliflower, broccoli etc.

Some Important Pointers Regarding Ulcers

Ulcers can be quite a painful affair, so proper precautions must be exercised so as not to aggravate them. Here are some things that you need to follow if you also have an ulcer complaint.

• Eat small, regular meals instead of having larger meals. Smaller meals can be easily digested, without putting too much strain on the stomach.
• Foods containing flavonoids and probiotics like green teas, yogurt etc have a soothing effect on the ulcer pain. Drinking a glass of cold milk will relieve the burning sensation in the stomach and also reduce heartburn.
• Avoid oily as well as spicy foods, as these may flare up the ulcer, causing more pain and discomfort. Foods containing chilies, chili powder, black and red pepper, etc tend to irritate the inner lining of the stomach and aggravate the condition.
• Caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks are also a strict no-no if you are having a stomach ulcer. These drinks increase the acidity levels in the stomach and also intensity of pain.
• Nicotine can also exacerbate the ulcer and even cause bleeding. So smoking should be completely stopped to avoid this complication.
• Modifying the lifestyle accordingly will prove to be helpful in treating this condition successfully and also prevent the recurrence of ulcers and other digestive system related problems.

These food restrictions will help reduce the intensity of the ulcer and bring down the pain. Apart from food, appropriate medications and routine checkup with a health care provider can provide relief from this health disorder without any serious complications. Take care!

Potassium Chloride Uses

There are some chemical compounds whose uses span nearly every spectrum of science, ranging from plants to humans and physics. One such compound that has myriad uses is potassium chloride. Potassium chloride is a chemical compound which is made of potassium and chlorine together. It actually resembles regular salt, which is basically sodium chloride, in that potassium chloride is odorless, colorless and has minute face centered cubic crystals. There are various potassium chloride uses, which have been enlisted below.

Potassium Chloride Applications

Fertilizers
One of the most common uses is in the manufacture of fertilizers. Potassium chloride is sometimes known as muriate of potash when it is used as a fertilizer. This is one of the main applications of potassium chloride because potassium is needed by plants for their normal growth, however, their potassium intake from the soil is usually very limited. Thus, they need supplementation in the form of fertilizers which contain potassium.

Hypokalemia
One of the main potassium chloride medical uses is in the treatment of hypokalemia, that is, deficiency of potassium in the body. However, this method of treatment is only to be used in those patients who cannot take in potassium by any other means. This is used in patients that have hypokalemia without alkalosis. It's also used to prevent the occurrence of hypokalemia. This medication is usually available in powder form, as the tablet form can be irritating to chew on. There are a few extended release tablets available as well. However, it is always better to opt for high potassium foods instead. This is because supplements are to be used sparingly, as there are quite a few potassium chloride side effects, like arrhythmias and muscle weakness. So, this is to be strictly used under medical supervision. This medication is not to be used in people that are suffering from kidney failure.

Lethal Injections
One of the controversial potassium chloride uses is in making lethal injection preparations. Potassium chloride constitutes one-third of the content of lethal injections, the other constituents being a barbiturate and a paralytic. The potassium chloride directly acts on the heart and leads to sudden cardiac arrest.

Other Uses
There are quite a few more uses. These include:

• In some very rare cases, potassium chloride is used to induce abortion.
• This is used as one of the substitutes for table salt so as to make it sodium free.
• One of the uses in everyday life is its use as a water softener, instead of sodium chloride.
• Potassium chloride was also used as one of the ingredients in fire extinguishers because it was seen to be more effective than sodium bicarbonate. However, once potassium bicarbonate came into the picture, people seemed to prefer using this to potassium chloride.
• One of the chemical applications of potassium chloride is its use as a flux for gas wielding of aluminum, along with other agents like sodium and lithium chloride.
• Due to the tendency of potassium chloride to be a part of exothermic reactions, this compound has also figured in many heat packs.
• Sometimes, potassium chloride also figures in bottled water.
• One of the lesser known uses of potassium chloride is its use in calibration of radiation monitoring equipment.
• Potassium chloride is also used in water when this solution is to be used as an aid in petroleum and natural gas preparation.

This is an extremely useful compound whose uses span medicine, chemistry and physics. However, despite the many potassium chloride benefits, when this compound is being used for the treatment of hypokalemia, it is strictly to be used under medical supervision, because on overdose of this compound could lead to irreversible damage, including cardiac arrest.

What is Potassium Used For?

Potassium is a metallic element that belongs to the group of alkali metals in the periodic table. It is denoted by the letter K. Physically, it is a soft substance with a silvery-white color. Chemically, it is a highly reactive element and readily undergoes oxidation when it comes in contact with air and changes into gray color. It reacts vigorously with water to form hydrogen gas and releases a large amount of energy.

Uses of Potassium and its Compounds

Potassium cannot be kept in free elemental state due to its high reactivity. Hence, we find that the compounds of potassium are being used more commonly. Following are some of the uses of potassium and its compounds:

• Potassium in its vaporous state is used in magnetometers, an instrument meant for measuring the direction and the strength of magnetic fields. It is used in the making of an alloy with sodium called NaK (or "nack"). At room temperature, this alloy is found in the liquid form and are being used as a medium of heat-transfer. It is a good drying agent and helps in the production of moisture-free and air-free solvents.
• Potassium chloride is widely used in making fertilizers. It acts as a raw material in the preparation of potassium metal. It has medicinal values and is used for the treatment of hypokalemia. It can be used as an alternative for table salt by patients of hypertension.
• Potassium permanganate has strong oxidizing properties. Therefore, it is used for removal of iron from water. It is a good disinfectant and is used for the treatment of various fungal infections of the hands and feet. It acts as a reagent in the synthesis process of organic compounds like ascorbic acid, saccharine, etc.
• Potassium hydroxide is often used for the purpose of controlling pH value of acidic substances in several industries. Potassium hydroxide reacts with fats and oils to give soap. It has been used for the preparation of various potassium salts.
• When potassium reacts with elements of the halogen group, then it leads to the formation of halides like potassium chloride, potassium iodide, etc. These ionic salts, when used in photographic emulsion help in making of the photosensitive compound, silver halides.
• Potassium nitrate is commonly known as saltpeter. The most vital use of this chemical compound is as a fertilizer. It is also present in gunpowder.
• Potassium cyanide has the ability to dissolve metals like gold, silver and copper. Hence, it is used in gold mining or during the electroplating process of these metals.
• Potassium chromate has a number of uses. It includes making of inks, dyes, matches, fireworks and also for tanning of leather.
• The common name of potassium carbonate is potash, which is useful in the production of glass and soap.
• Potassium chlorate is used in agriculture as a weedkiller. It is also used in safety matches.
• Potassium nitrate is useful in the glass industry. It aids in making the glass tougher than normal.
• Silvering of mirrors are done with the help of sodium tartrate, also called Rochelle salt.

As seen above, potassium has numerous uses. Reaction of elemental potassium and water gives out so much of heat, that it can ignite the hydrogen gas produced during the reaction. Also, a potassium fire cannot be extinguished with the help of water. There are only some dry chemicals that can be used for putting out the fire. Hence, it is very essential to handle potassium with great care.

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms and Signs

Stomach ulcers is a common medical condition in humans and studies show that more than ten percent of the population suffer from it. Stomach ulcer (otherwise known as peptic ulcer) is a term, which is collectively used to refer to the ulcers of the esophagus (lower part), stomach and duodenum. While ulcers of the stomach are termed gastric ulcers, those of the duodenum and esophagus are called duodenal and esophageal ulcers respectively. The most common among them are duodenal ulcers, and esophageal ulcers are very rare. There are various factors that can cause suchulcers. These include stress, regular use of some medication like NSAIDs, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and helicobacter pylori infection. Studies show that in most cases, bacterial infection or certain medication are among the common stomach ulcer causes.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms may vary from one person to another depending upon various factors, like the location of the ulcer, the causal agent and the health condition of the patient.

Abdominal pain: The most common among stomach ulcer symptoms and signs is abdominal pain, which is often described as sharp, burning and gnawing in nature. Such pain, which is termed as episodic epigastric pain, may occur at any location between the navel and the lower part of the breast bone. In some people, this pain may last for a few hours, whereas others may experience it for a few minutes only. The pain may worsen at night.

• This type of abdominal pain is often associated with consumption of food. In case of gastric ulcers, the pain worsens with consumption of food, whereas pain caused by duodenal ulcers develop when the stomach is empty. In some cases, the pain may disappear for a few days or weeks to return later.
• One of the complications associated with stomach ulcers is severe and unbearable abdominal pain that develops all of a sudden. This is due to the perforation of the stomach, esophageal or duodenal wall by ulcers and this condition can lead to peritonitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the abdominal cavity). Such perforated ulcers require immediate medical attention.

Weight loss/Weight gain: While some people with these ulcers develop loss of appetite and weight loss, others experience weight gain. The latter category includes people with duodenal ulcers as the symptoms of this condition are relieved by consumption of food. The former category includes people with gastric ulcers.

Other Symptoms: Apart from the above said, there are various other stomach ulcer symptoms. They include indigestion, constant discomfort in the stomach, abdominal bloating, burping, heartburn and nausea or vomiting. Severe peptic ulcer symptoms include recurrent sharp pain in the stomach, blood in vomit, bloody or tarry stool, anemia and lightheadedness.

Treatment

Stomach ulcers are diagnosed with endoscopy and X-rays. Helicobacter pylori infection has to be ruled out with blood test, stool test or breath test. While mild to moderate symptoms can be relieved with antacids, severe ones need immediate medical attention. Stomach ulcer treatment is based on the location of the ulcer, causal agent and severity of symptoms. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, the course of treatment is decided.

Usually, medication like antacids are used for treating the condition. Antibiotics (in case of bacterial infection) and acid blockers are also used for this purpose. While bleeding ulcer treatment includes clipping of the area, injection for stopping bleeding or cauterization, perforated ones require immediate surgical treatment.

In short, stomach ulcer symptoms and signs may vary from one person to another. These symptoms may also be mistaken for some other medical conditions, like GERD. So, correct diagnosis is necessary to identify the condition. Early diagnosis and timely treatment is always beneficial to prevent complications.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.

Throwing Up Blood While Pregnant

Pregnancy is a joyful occasion for many women. Women look forward to getting pregnant and give birth to a new life. But, the process of giving birth is not easy and a woman has to experience a lot of unpleasant symptoms. Morning sickness and pregnancy are one of the most common discomforts experienced by a majority of women. This condition does not cause any concern as it is a part of being pregnant. But, if one is throwing up blood while pregnant, it indicates that something's just not right. Let us have a look at the reasons that lead to vomiting blood while pregnant.

Causes of Vomiting Blood During Pregnancy

Vomiting is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. When morning sickness takes on a very severe form, it is known as hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Puking blood in pregnancy is not a good sign. Vomiting and nausea generally occur due to hormonal deficiency and changes in the body. But, vomiting blood especially during the later stages of pregnancy indicates serious health concerns. Let us now have a look at the various causes of vomiting blood during pregnancy.

Starvation and Dehydration
One of the main causes of puking blood while pregnant is starvation and dehydration. It is therefore advised to eat healthy and drink plenty of water. When the body lacks food and fluid, it tends to suffer from vomiting. As there is no food or fluid in the stomach, the body begins to vomit out blood.

Bile Pigments and Blood
When the body runs out of fluids, it begins to vomit bile pigments from the gallbladder along with blood from liver.

Nutritional Deficiency
Deficiency of nutrients causes a pregnant woman to vomit blood in the morning and after eating food.

Weakness
Weakness leads to vomiting blood and also affects the health of the baby. It is, therefore, important to maintain your stamina during pregnancy.

Food Poisoning
If one has consumed something toxic or food that has become stale, it can lead to food poisoning. Therefore, make sure you watch out everything you consume as it may affect the health of the baby.

High Blood Pressure
Some women suffering from high blood pressure during pregnancy tend to vomit blood. It is important to keep hypertension under control to avoid such a situation.

Treatment for Throwing Up Blood during Pregnancy

In severe cases, a pregnant woman is hospitalized to keep under observation. The lady is given oral fluids and a proper diet to improve her health. Most of the cases involving throwing up blood in pregnancy are due to deficiencies in nutrition. One should drink plenty of fruit juices and electrolyte solutions. Take good care of your health as the baby's health depends on you. Speak to your doctor to prescribe you anti-sickness pills. If one cannot hold their food down, then you may be given a suppository that is to be inserted into the rectum. Also, buccal form of the medication may also be prescribed that is to be kept between the upper lip and gum to dissolve. In some cases, the doctor may inject these medications that help you control vomiting and nausea during pregnancy.

Many times eating ginger biscuits or drinking ginger tea also helps control vomiting. Throwing up blood while pregnant is a very rare occurrence. Do not take a chance even if you notice a little bit of blood in your vomit. Speak to your doctor and take advice regarding the matter. Pregnancy is a very delicate issue and needs the best of self care. Do not take stress and eat regularly. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. This was some information related to throwing up blood while pregnant. Take good care of yourself as it will help make your baby healthy and strong.

Is it OK to Make Yourself Throw Up?

It's understandable when you throw up after you eat something that makes you sick, eat too much at a go or taste or smell something foul. The vomiting and the associated reflexes in these cases are mostly natural and take place involuntarily. Also, certain ailments, especially of the digestive tract such as gastritis, can induce vomiting when food travels along the gastrointestinal tract due to sensitivity or irritation of the digestive tract. Medical conditions like brain tumor, increased pressure inside the skull causing compression of the brain and the cerebro-spinal fluid and frequent or intense exposure to ionizing radiations can also lead to a plethora of physical symptoms including nausea and vomiting. Radical hormonal shifts inside the body, such as during pregnancy, can also lead to nausea and vomiting. However, is it OK to make yourself throw up deliberately? Does it harm your body in any way or cause any biological damage if you resort to inducing regurgitation by force? Well, the following segments deal with this issue.

Is Making Yourself Throw Up OK?

It depends on various factors. If you ate something that's making you feel sick then it is probably a good idea to induce vomiting and relieving yourself of the disgusting feeling. If it's a one time thing, then making yourself throw up is kind of OK. In case you have ingested something toxic or poisonous, then it is probably a good idea to make yourself throw up and rid your body of the toxin before going to get medical help for neutralizing the effects of such a toxin. However, if you make it a habit to force yourself to vomit every time you feel queasy or not quite in your elements, that's where the trouble starts brewing from. You see, forcing yourself to vomit causes a lot of strain on your esophagus and upper digestive tract and frequently forcing yourself to throw up can lead to tears in the tissues of your food pipe and throat.

Also, when you regurgitate the contents of your stomach, some of the stomach acids also accompany the semi-digested food. In case you're not aware, the gastric fluid is composed of hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride and sodium chloride and this fluid is extremely corrosive - so much so that a single drop of it on a handkerchief can eat through the fabric and leave behind a gaping hole! Just imagine what damage it can do to the throat, mouth and teeth if the gastric acids come in contact with them every so often! Indeed, bulimics and habitual pukers do experience sensitivity in their teeth as the acid corrodes the enamel on them. Besides damaging your esophagus and straining your throat (as a result of putting unnatural pressure on them to make food travel the wrong direction on a one-way track), frequent vomiting also robs your body of essential electrolytes.

Besides, if you make yourself puke every time you don't feel quite well, your body adapts itself accordingly and gets used to regurgitation so much so that its natural defenses for correcting those off feelings become muted and go into a dormant state. Your body becomes dependent upon regurgitation to feel OK even if its suffering from something as minor as slight acidity or bloating.

How Can You Make Yourself Throw Up?

Although forcing yourself to vomit is a bad idea, if this is something you have to resort to as the last option or if there is absolutely no other alternative available at the moment, here's what you can do to make yourself throw up:-

• Stick your index finger deep inside your throat, touching the back of your throat - this will trigger the gag reflex and make you throw up;
• Take emetic drugs that irritate the epigastrium and make you feel nauseous, leading to contractions of stomach walls and finally induce regurgitation;
• If you suffer from any degree of motion sickness, you can try spinning round faster and faster till you feel dizzy and end up puking;
• Stuff yourself with food and then eat some more till you feel you will burst - then allow yourself to burst by throwing it all up!

While the last two methods are the most unpleasant ways to force yourself to puke, the best and safest way is to take emetics. This way, you don't risk poking your throat tissues with your fingernails (if they happen to be long) and neither is any hard work involved. So, is it right to deliberately induce vomiting? No! Not unless there is no other way to deal with your sick-in-the-stomach feeling! It's better to be careful about what you eat and eat in moderation so that you are not driven by either disgust or guilt to make all that food take a return trip from your stomach and out of your mouth!