Experts who treat digestive system problems have said it’s not true that skipping meals causes ulcers. They say this is a common misunderstanding that still misleads many people in Nigeria.
The website says the main symptom is a burning or aching pain in the stomach. It also says that 5 to 10 percent of people around the world will get a peptic ulcer at some point in their lives.
They said many Nigerians wrongly think ulcers are caused by not eating on time or fasting, which delays proper diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Ganiyat Oyeleke’s Comments
Dr. Ganiyat Oyeleke, a digestive health expert at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, said it’s wrong to believe that ulcers are caused by skipping meals or eating spicy food. She warned against diagnosing yourself and misusing painkillers.
She explained that the real causes of ulcers are H. pylori infection and overuse of common painkillers like ibuprofen, aspirin, and piroxicam.
“Not eating doesn’t cause ulcers. It can make the symptoms worse, but the real causes are H. pylori and overuse of drugs like Alabukun, Feldene, and Diclofenac,” she said.
She mentioned that a 2021 Nigerian study showed 87.7% of people with duodenal ulcers had H. pylori, proving that the bacteria is a major cause.
She explained that H. pylori harms the stomach’s protective lining, making it easier for acid to cause damage. The bacteria spread through dirty food, water, or close contact in unhygienic places.
She also said spicy foods and stress do not directly cause ulcers.
“Spicy food and stress only make the symptoms worse. They are not the actual cause. People should focus on getting tested instead of blaming pepper,” she advised.
She pointed out that many people believe myths, like thinking milk heals ulcers, all stomach pain means an ulcer, or that a blood test is enough to diagnose it.
She said real diagnosis is done through a procedure called endoscopy. Also, not every stomach pain is an ulcer—other organs like the liver or pancreas may be involved.
She urged people who often have stomach pain or indigestion to stop using home remedies and antacids and get a proper medical check-up.
“There’s no such thing as ‘just ulcer.’ People need to stop treating themselves and get tested. H. pylori can be cured, but only with proper treatment,” she said.
About food, Dr. Oyeleke said diet doesn’t cause ulcers but can help manage symptoms and healing.
She suggested eating more fiber, taking probiotics, and eating small meals often. She also advised against alcohol, caffeine, and fatty or sour foods.
She warned that most painkillers are unsafe for people with ulcers and should only be taken with a doctor’s advice.
Dr. Muyiwa Bojuwoye’s Comments
Another expert, Dr. Muyiwa Bojuwoye, also said H. pylori and overuse of NSAIDs are the main causes of ulcers. He said old beliefs about stress, spicy food, or fasting causing ulcers are wrong.
He warned that despite what many people think, science shows H. pylori and painkillers are the main reasons for ulcers in the stomach and small intestine.
“Ulcers are sores in the lining of the stomach or small intestine. The main causes are H. pylori and overuse of painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin,” he said.
He said smoking, alcohol, stress, and poor diet can make ulcers worse but don’t actually cause them.
He repeated that stress and spicy food only make symptoms worse but are not the cause.
Dr. Bojuwoye warned against using multiple painkillers or mixing them with steroids, as this increases the risk of ulcers.
He explained that H. pylori weakens the stomach’s natural defenses, allowing acid to cause injury.
H. pylori spreads through unclean hands, dirty food or water, and sharing utensils.
He advised people to keep good hygiene, wash hands often, and avoid irritating foods like spicy meals, coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, bitter kola, and herbal mixtures.
He told ulcer patients to stop smoking and see a doctor instead of guessing their condition.
He said some people mistake other stomach problems for ulcers. Conditions like stomach cancer also cause pain, so it’s important to see a specialist.
Tests like H. pylori screening, barium X-rays, and endoscopy are needed to confirm ulcers and treat them properly.
He said many myths about ulcers still exist and more education is needed to help people understand the real facts.
“Milk doesn’t cure ulcers. Antacids help only for a short time. Ulcers can affect anyone—even young people and children,” he said.
Student Study in Kwara State
A 2021 study found that while most students at Kwara State Polytechnic had heard of ulcers, many didn’t know the real causes or treatments. Only 0.3% knew H. pylori was the main cause.
The study showed that 78% of 300 students had heard of ulcers, but many believed wrong things like thinking pepper, fasting, or spiritual forces caused them.
Shockingly, only one student knew that H. pylori is the main cause, even though it’s linked to more than 90% of ulcer cases.
Instead, 81% blamed fasting, 54% blamed spicy food, and 18% believed in spiritual causes.
The study, led by Dr. Bojuwoye, said that even though students knew about ulcers, most didn’t understand the facts. This is dangerous because untreated ulcers can get worse.
Only 17.3% believed medicine could treat ulcers, while 64% wrongly thought eating on time was a cure.
Students in science courses were more likely to know about ulcers than those in other fields.
The researchers said more health education is urgently needed for young Nigerians, who are the country’s most active group.
They urged that correct health information be included in school lessons because false beliefs about ulcers can lead to serious health problems or even death.
