The prevailing myths surrounding stomach ulcers, such as the dangerous belief that fasting or consuming items like gari causes them, are actively hindering effective treatment, a misunderstanding that Aproko Doctor TV addresses in a critical show titled "How to heal ulcer!". While fasting does not cause an ulcer, it can definitely make an existing one worse. The prevalence of misinformation leads people, like the dramatically complaining "Amaka," to seek quick-fix solutions because they have been "lied to" about healing this condition.
A stomach ulcer is medically defined as an open wound inside the stomach, and the resulting pain is likened to having a wound inside or putting a "bare hand inside fire". The pain arises from the stomach's powerful chemical environment, which produces acid with a pH between 1 and 2, potent enough to dissolve a tiger razor blade. Normally, the stomach protects itself with a slimy mucus coating, which shields it from this aggressive acid. An ulcer occurs when this perfect balance breaks, either because acid production increases and destroys the protective mucus layer, or the layer itself reduces, allowing the acid to burn the stomach directly.
Crucially, Aproko Doctor states clearly that ulcers are not caused by eating pepper. The two major causes of ulcers, especially in the viewing region, are identified as the H. pylori bacteria and the abuse of painkillers. H. pylori are described as a "very wicked bacteria" that attacks and weakens the protective mucus layer, allowing the acid to affect the stomach. These bacteria can be acquired from contaminated food, dirty water, and even through the saliva of some people, making shared spoons a risk factor. The second major cause is the long-term abuse of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, which some people "swallow... like sweets". These medications can "dig hole inside your stomach" by reducing the body’s ability to produce the protective mucus layer.
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It is important to remember that not every burning sensation in the stomach is an ulcer; other conditions like acid reflux, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause similar pain. Before self-diagnosing, a proper diagnostic test is mandatory, not relying on ambiguous advice. The gold standard test for confirmation is an endoscopy, where a doctor uses a small tube with a camera inserted through the mouth to check for the wound.
Once an ulcer is confirmed, the doctor must identify the cause by asking about lifestyle factors—such as smoking, alcohol consumption, dirty water, or NSAID abuse—and running specific tests like the urea breath test or blood/stool tests to find H. pylori. This is vital because the treatment is completely different depending on the answer. Guessing or copying another person's drug choice means one is "wasting your money and prolonging your treatment".
To heal an ulcer, a combined approach of medication and lifestyle changes is necessary. The medication component involves two parts: first, reducing the acid by administering a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) to stop the stomach from producing excess acid and give the wound a chance to heal. Second, if H. pylori are the cause, it must be killed completely using a specific combination of antibiotics. It is critical to take the complete dose for the prescribed duration, which is often two weeks; treatment will not work if only the acid reducer is taken without the antibiotics, or vice versa.
The often-missed part of the equation is lifestyle. Patients must stop skipping meals, as a starved stomach has nothing to digest, causing the acid to "act on something" and start to burn the lining. Certain things that irritate the stomach, such as spicy foods, excessive coffee, and alcohol, must be avoided. Finally, stress must be managed through healthy relaxation, exercise, sleep, or talking to a therapist, because stress makes acid production worse. Aproko Doctor delivers the final warning: you cannot heal an ulcer while you are actively destroying your stomach with bad habits. If one is in constant pain, it is a clear signal to seek professional medical attention.
