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Treatment for heart burn and peptic ulcers has changed dramatically in the past few years. Now, antacids, histamine blockers, and proton pump blockers are being used as standard ulcer therapy. These medicines don't address the root of the problem, but rather just block the ulcers' effects. Luckily, there is a natural supplement that effectively stimulates the body's normal defense mechanisms, preventing ulcer formation and promoting true healing.

Peptic ulcers are sores that form from acid and pepsin in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine. Peptic ulcers are very common, as one in every 10 Americans develops an ulcer at some time in his or her life. The most common type of peptic ulcers occurs in the duodenum and tends to heal more quickly than stomach ulcers. Stomach ulcers are also more likely to recur. Some individuals with peptic ulcers have very mild symptoms while others have no symptoms at all. Still, for some pain is the most common symptom. The pain associated with an ulcer may be dull and gnawing, or burning and crampy. The pain may also come and go, for several days or weeks and occur two to three hours after eating or in the middle of the night. For some people, the pain may be relieved by food. Other symptoms of a peptic ulcer include weight loss, poor appetite, bloating, burping, nausea, vomiting.

The cause of ulcers is no longer blamed solely on stress, spicy foods, alcohol consumption, gastric acid production, or heredity. Rather most peptic ulcers are now known to be caused mainly by a bacterial infection of H. pylori. The use of over-the-counter and prescription painkillers including ibuprofen also causes peptic ulcers. To determine if this bacteria is present, H. pylori can be diagnosed through blood, breath, and tissue tests. Blood tests, which are the most common diagnostic tool, are used to detect antibodies to H. pylori bacteria. Then, a breath test is used after treatment to determine if the treatment worked. Statistics show that 20% of people under 40 and over half of the people over the age of 60 are infected with H. pylori. However, those individuals who are infected do not always develop ulcers. Infection with H. pylori or irritation from medication use may depend on the gastric or intestinal environment of the person who develops and ulcer.

The purpose of medical treatment is to kill the H. pylori bacteria and reduce stomach acid. Medical treatment usually involves a combination of antibiotics, acid suppressors, and stomach protectors. H pylori peptic ulcers are usually treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Conventionally, acid-suppressing drugs and stomach-lining protectors are used for ulcer treatment. The greatest risk for people with ulcers is that the ulcer will erode through the entire stomach lining. This can cause life-threatening bleeding and infections. Therefore, anyone who thinks he may have an ulcer should seek help from a physician immediately. Although there are risks of adverse effects, it may be necessary to use medications at first. However, there are certain natural supplements that work well along with prescription medications to assist healing. The most effective natural supplement for ulcers is a specially processed form of licorice root. By using DGL instead of standard drug therapy one addresses the underlying cause for a condition rather than simply blocking an effect. Use of DGL addresses the underlying factors and promotes true healing by stimulating the normal defense mechanisms which prevent ulcer formation. DGL improves both the quality and quantity of the protective substances that line the intestinal tract. Research has proven that licorice root extract stimulates the release of secretin, which helps to rebuild the stomach or intestine's protective lining.

Antacids, which are alkaline compounds that neutralize stomach acid, were, at one point, the key player in anti-ulcer therapy. However, these dugs have been largely replaced by the histamine2-receptor antagonists and the proton pump inhibitors. Most antacids adversely affect the bowels, with some promoting constipation and others promoting diarrhea. Some antacids also contain large amounts of sodium, while others raise the stomach's pH, influencing the absorption of other drugs.

DGL licorice can be used along with antibiotic therapy and other agents that may be prescribed by a licensed health care professional. Consumers will find that DGL's restorative effects on the gastric mucosa help to speed up healing and prevent recurrences of future ulcers. The drugs that are used in standard therapy do not always address the underlying cause of peptic ulcers. Instead, they simply treat the symptoms caused by an ulcer. DGL, on the other hand, does not inhibit stomach acid production, neutralize stomach acid, or block histamine. It promotes true healing by stimulating the normal defense mechanisms that prevent ulcer formation and improve the integrity of the stomach lining. Additionally, DGL accomplishes this without any of the side effects that are associated with the standard peptic ulcer therapy.

DGL licorice should mix with saliva in order to promote release of salivary compounds, which in turn stimulate the growth and regeneration of stomach and intestinal cells. There are several forms of chewable DGL that are available on the market. In order to treat a peptic ulcer, people should take 760 to 1,520 mg of DGL about twenty minutes before meals. It should never be used after meals, due to lack of efficacy. It should also be used for about eight to sixteen weeks in order to see results, or as recommended by a health care professional. As previously stated, DGL is a specially processed form of licorice which avoids the main hazards of regular licorice. There are no known side effects or drug interactions with the use of DGL. Those women who are pregnant or nursing should talk to a licensed health care practitioner before using any dietary supplement. DGL, which improves the integrity of the stomach lining, stimulates the normal defenses, and prevents ulcer formation, provides the body with the ability to heal itself. DGL licorice can be found at your friendly online vitamin store.