Many people believe that the acid found in coffee has the ability to cause gastric ulcers. Ulcers are not the result of certain spicy or acidic foods, but are caused mainly by a bacterial infection of the H. pylori bacteria. Other lifestyle factors can contribute to the formation of gastric ulcers, such as alcoholism, the daily use of certain pain relievers and smoking. Although drinking coffee will not cause a gastric ulcer, consuming the beverage may aggravate an existing ulcer.
Gastric Ulcers
Gastric ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach and typically cause minor to severe abdominal pain. The stomach is lined with a protective layer of mucus that keeps the stomach acids from interacting with the soft tissues that make up the stomach. Various circumstances can cause the lining of the stomach to become weakened, allowing stomach acid to erode the soft tissue. MayoClinic.com states that while people once thought that diet or stress led to the formation of ulcers, it is now clear that most ulcers are from a digestive infection.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of a gastric ulcer include the feeling of fullness quickly after eating, vomiting, unexpected weight loss, bloating, burning and a dull pain in your stomach, pain that causes you to wake up during the night, vomiting and feeling worse after eating or drinking, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Certain foods and beverages can make the pain worse after you eat or drink. Coffee is a common irritant that can cause your pain to increase because of its high acidity levels. Other foods that may cause an increase in your symptoms include highly acidic foods, fatty foods, spicy foods, alcohol and any other beverage that contains caffeine.
Treatment
Aside from eliminating coffee from your diet, your doctor may recommend a few medications to kill the bacteria and help your body heal itself. Triple antibiotic treatment is one of the primary approaches to killing the H. pylori bacteria, which will prevent further ulcers from developing. Other medications that your doctor may prescribe to keep your stomach acids low include H2 inhibitors, pronton-pump inhibitors and antacids. While some of theses medications may be sold over the counter, you need to discuss the risks and benefits of every medication you take with your doctor beforehand.
Consideration
Gastric ulcers may be mistaken for heartburn because of similar symptoms. Drinking coffee is a common trigger for heartburn, which is the result of stomach acid entering the esophagus. If you’re unsure of your condition, talk with your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options.
