I am sharing how I am managing my 'gastric ulcer' after being diagnosed with it and receiving medication.

I've never had regular meals and have a habit of eating quickly. These poor eating habits, coupled with the stress I've been under at work, led to a gastroscopy at Hanmaeum Hospital this year, which revealed a gastric ulcer and the presence of Helicobacter pylori. I used to experience heartburn and occasional stomach cramps on days when I was particularly stressed, so I knew something wasn't right with my stomach. However, my doctor at the hospital told me I had a gastric ulcer and needed treatment and careful management, which made me realize I needed to be more vigilant.

He prescribed me a two-week supply of medication to get rid of Helicobacter pylori and a squeeze-out medicine called Almagel for stomach ulcers, so I took them well for a while. And after a re-examination, the Helicobacter pylori was found to be gone. I have finished taking the medication, so I can't keep the packet of medicine separately, but I have a certificate of treatment from my most recent outpatient visit last week, so I've attached a photo. He stopped prescribing the medication and suggested that I come back for a gastroscopy in a year. He also encouraged me to be diligent in self-care.

 

I will introduce the method I usually use to manage gastric ulcers.

 

The first and foremost method is to avoid spicy and salty foods.

I used to enjoy spicy food. I especially enjoyed spicy food more than most people. Since being diagnosed with a gastric ulcer, I've made a special effort to lighten the seasoning in my food and eat it blandly. It wasn't easy at first, but after a few months of practice, my taste buds have gradually changed. I still haven't completely given up the occasional spicy tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), but I don't enjoy it as often as I used to. By lightening the seasoning, I feel like my taste buds are gradually adapting to milder foods. Gastric ulcers naturally prefer warm, soft foods, so I'm trying to stick to that approach.

 

The second way to manage a gastric ulcer is to eat three meals a day, regularly and on time. I've been skipping breakfast for decades. There are differing opinions, some saying that skipping breakfast and fasting for a long time is good for the stomach, but in my case, I experienced heartburn when I fasted for a long time. So these days, I always make sure to eat a light breakfast. Eating Korean food can be a bit heavy, so I've been soothing my empty stomach with lightly blanched vegetables, boiled eggs, or potatoes. I find it much more comfortable than before, and it works well for me.

 

Third, I quit my late-night snacking habit. I knew that having a beer and a late-night snack and then going straight to bed was bad for my stomach, but I overlooked it until I was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. After all, you only realize the importance of health when you're sick. Now, I try my best to eat nothing but water after an early dinner.

 

Besides these, there are many other habits that are necessary for gastric ulcers.

Avoid overeating and binge eating, and eat lightly. Avoid lying down immediately after eating. It's best to eat steamed or boiled foods rather than raw foods.

Foods that are good for improving gastric ulcers include potatoes (prevents damage to the gastric mucosa), radish (all-purpose natural digestive aid), cabbage (natural anti-ulcer food), broccoli (effective against Helicobacter pylori), and spinach (protects the gastric mucosa).

I'm still managing it, and the more I take care of it, the more I feel better each day, so it's rewarding.

Lastly, I would like to end this article by introducing a mild digestive aid that I take from time to time when I have indigestion due to gastric ulcer symptoms.

Kabejin is a famous Japanese digestive aid. It smells a bit strange, but I think it's a very gentle medicine. Made from cabbage, it's effective for stomach ulcers and various gastrointestinal ailments. Just because it's gentle doesn't mean it's ineffective. When you feel an upset stomach or bloating, take two pills and you'll feel instant relief. You know cabbage is especially good for the stomach, right? I especially recommend it to those with stomach ulcers.

I hope everyone takes good care of their health and prevents illness. I hope you don't suffer like I did after being diagnosed. Stay healthy!