Medical experts have now confirmed that spicy foods don’t cause stomach ulcers, challenging a widely held belief in Nigeria. Instead, they blame Helicobacter pylori infection and misuse of pain-relief drugs for most cases.
Although spicy meals may irritate ulcer symptoms, they do not create the condition.
Prof Agona Obembe, a gastrointestinal physiology professor at the University of Calabar, addressed this misconception. She explained that if spicy diets truly caused ulcers, ethnic groups with such eating habits—like the Yoruba—would show the highest prevalence, which isn’t the case.
According to her, Helicobacter pylori is the real culprit. People often contract it through poor hygiene, such as not washing hands or through close contact like kissing.
Treating this bacterium is challenging. When individuals infected with H. pylori also fast for long periods or misuse painkillers, their symptoms often become worse.
Obembe likened food in the stomach to a sponge that soaks up acid. Without food, the acid begins to corrode the stomach lining, especially during prolonged fasting.
She clarified that intermittent fasting may not harm a healthy person. However, for someone already infected, fasting can aggravate their condition.
To reduce the risk of ulcers, she advised avoiding frequent painkiller use, limiting alcohol, and practicing good hygiene. She also recommended eating balanced meals and managing stress.
Treatment is possible, but Obembe warned against unorthodox methods or self-medication. Medical intervention remains the safest path.
Dr Muyiwa Bojuwoye, a consultant gastroenterologist, supported these findings. He pointed to H. pylori and NSAID overuse as the only scientifically verified causes.
He explained that peptic ulcers are open sores that form in the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. These sores develop when excess acid damages the mucous lining.
While spicy foods or long fasting can trigger symptoms, Bojuwoye emphasized that they do not directly cause ulcers.
Many Nigerians wrongly assume that all upper abdominal pain signals an ulcer. Bojuwoye warned that such symptoms could point to other conditions, making accurate diagnosis essential.
Poor sanitation and contaminated food or water also spread H. pylori. Bojuwoye stressed the need for proper food handling and clean environments.
Doctors now treat ulcers using a triple-drug regimen, which includes two antibiotics and an acid suppressant. This method reflects the modern view of ulcers as an infectious disease.
Bojuwoye urged patients to stop self-medicating with painkillers. Repeated use without medical advice significantly increases ulcer risk.
He also mentioned that certain conditions, such as chronic liver disease and the use of steroids, can raise ulcer susceptibility.
Genetic factors may contribute too. People with a family history of ulcers or those with blood group O might face higher risks, though this alone doesn’t guarantee they’ll develop the condition.
In conclusion, spicy foods don’t cause stomach ulcers. Experts encourage Nigerians to focus on hygiene, avoid drug misuse, and seek proper medical advice for symptoms. Dispelling these myths can help reduce unnecessary suffering and promote early, effective treatment.
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