How to Use Cranberry to Prevent Ulcers

Ulcers can occur when any area of skin or tissue becomes eroded. The most familiar types of ulcers are gastric and duodenal. An ulcer can be caused by certain medications, bacterial infection and excess stomach acid excretion. Alternative treatments for ulcers often include the use of cranberry juice.

Things You'll Need

• Cranberry juice

Instructions

1. See your health care provider to determine if you have an ulcer caused by H. pylori bacteria. Cranberry use has been shown to be effective in reducing the ability of the bacteria to adhere to the lining of the stomach and intestinal tract, thereby reducing the incidence of gastric ulcers.

2. Provide a probiotic to promote healthy bacteria in the digestive tract while destroying infectious bacteria. The probiotic quality of cranberries has been proven successful in a number of studies.

3. Prevent the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium from sticking to the lining of the stomach by drinking cranberry juice. H. pylori is known to be responsible for the development of gastric ulcers.

4. Choose to take cranberry as an herbal supplement in tablet form rather than as a juice. The tablets generally are created to provide the same amount of cranberry benefits with one tablet as you find in an 8-oz. glass of juice.

5. Use cranberry juice or supplements to prevent the reoccurrence of ulcers. For individuals who are susceptible to ulcer formation, prevention is essential. Follow the directions given by your health care provider for treatment of active ulcers and use cranberry to enhance the health of the digestive tract.

Tips & Warnings

• There is some indication that holding cranberry juice in your mouth over an ulcer promotes healing and reduces the pain of the ulcer.

• Reduce the amount of coffee intake and eat a high-fiber diet to speed your recovery from an ulcer.

• Drinking too much cranberry juice can cause diarrhea.

• Avoid overfilling the stomach during the ulcer treatment. Stretching the stomach lining that is already painful from the irritation of an ulcer can increase the intensity of the pain.

• Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if you experience vomiting with blood during treatment for your ulcer.

• Always check with your doctor or herbalist before using cranberry supplements with any prescription or over-the-counter medication to prevent ulcers.