Fact 3: Dispelling Old Myths with Modern Research
For decades, popular belief and even some medical quarters held stress and spicy foods as the leading villains behind stomach ulcers. However, medical science and research have evolved, shattering these myths.
The reality is more nuanced. While stress and spicy foods can exacerbate ulcer symptoms, they are not the primary causes. Modern research predominantly attributes the onset of ulcers to the bacterium H. pylori and the long-term use of NSAIDs. This revelation has been a game-changer in the field of gastroenterology.
Now, this isn’t to discount the role of diet altogether. Excessive spicy food can irritate the stomach lining, making an existing ulcer more painful. Similarly, certain foods can aid in healing by neutralizing stomach acids. However, they aren’t the root cause.
It’s also imperative to note that with the debunking of these myths, treatment approaches have seen refinement. The primary focus has shifted from merely managing symptoms to targeting the root causes, primarily H. pylori, through specific antibiotics.(3)
