Smoking tends to delay healing of peptic ulcers. Diet does not have a major effect on ulcer disease except that strong irritants, such as caffeine and alcohol, should be avoided. Prolonged periods of fasting will cause acid buildup and is not recommended. Eating meals at regular intervals and using antacids one hour before and one hour after meals may be helpful for symptom relief. There are many drugs that act by decreasing acid production.
Acid is manufactured by certain cells in the stomach and is a major factor in ulcer formation.
One category of acid inhibitors is histamine two blockers. A newer category of drugs is the proton pump inhibitor. These new medications are not antacids and not to be taken just for pain, but rather for a full course of healing therapy. Treatment of the Helicobacter Pylori bacterium will promote ulcer healing and help prevent recurrence, which is the major problem with ulcers. This organism is fairly resistant to treatment, and a triple therapy is required.