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Introduction to Heartburn

Posted by HBS in Heartburn

Welcome to HeartburnSucks.com! If you are here, you most likely already know what heartburn is and wish for a cure! If that is the case, go read the “Heartburn Remedies” article! Hurry!
If you are here to gain knowledge on the definition of heartburn, or unsure that you have it, then continue on!

First thing’s first, heartburn has no correlation to the heart whatsoever. Heartburn and your heart condition are two completely unrelated matters. Though, people do mistake the symptoms of heartburn with heart diseases and heart attacks, but as I said, no relation! What is heartburn then? It is actually a problem having to do with the digestive system! Specifically, it is caused when stomach acid comes into contact with your gullet (or esophagus), thus irritating it and causing mild pain (in some cases, severe). The lower esophageal sphincter (or LES) usually protects your esophagus from acids within the stomach. The LES is basically a valve at the top of your stomach, and when it doesn’t close, stomach acid is able to bypass it, which results in heartburn! Heartburn is actually very common, and studies show that millions of people experience heartburn each week! (You’re not the only one who hates heartburn!) Similar conditions to heartburn include acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn is actually a symptom of the two related conditions, as you may have acid reflux, but not heartburn. Acid reflux is essentially the same as heartburn, as it is the flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Though, heartburn is specifically the act of feeling a burning sensation in your chest. If acid reflux worsens, it can result into GERD, one of the symptoms being frequent heartburns.

Try not to get too confused! Just remember:
Heartburn = burning sensation in chest
Acid Reflux = weird acid taste in your mouth
GERD = heartburn every day!

There! That makes things simple!

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Now that you know the definition of heartburn, maybe you can figure out if you actually have it! We’ll get specific in the “Heartburn Symptoms” article, which is indeed next!

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Heartburn Symptoms

Posted by HBS in Heartburn Symptoms

If you believe you have heartburn (or acid reflux or GERD), then this is the article for you! If you believe you have any of the symptoms listed below, please check out our “Heartburn Remedies” articles or “Heartburn No More!” review. If you believe you symptoms are much worse than what was stated, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention immediately!

This article will be split up into three parts: The symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux (since they are similar), the symptoms of GERD, and the difference in symptoms between heartburn and a heart attack. It will be in a list, then details, format!

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Heartburn/Acid Reflux Symptoms:

Burning Sensation in Chest
Burning Sensation in the Throat
Regurgitation or Sour Taste in Mouth
Difficult Time Swallowing
Chest Pain
Chronic Coughing
Dyspepsia

Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux, those with acid reflux might not have heartburn, but the symptoms of both are similar. The number one heartburn symptom would be a burning sensation in you chest. This is usually how you can tell if you have heartburn. The burning sensation occurs behind the breastbone in the chest after heartburn is caused, usually due to food. The next symptom would be burning of the throat, or a sore throat. You might feel as if acid was irritating the back of your throat, well, it is. This can also lead to a sour or acidic taste in your mouth, similar to how you feel after you throw up, taste-wise that is. All of this acid in your throat might also make it difficult to swallow at all, which is usually how it is with a sore throat. If the acid in your throat is aspirated, then it may also lead to a chronic cough. The last symptom is dyspepsia, which is a medical term for, “my stomach hurts.” If you have dyspepsia, then you might be burping, feel bloated, feel nauseous, or feel upper abdominal pain.

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GERD Symptoms

Chest Pain
Chronic Dry Cough
Asthma
Dyspepsia
Hoarseness
Difficult Time Swallowing
Bad Breath
Laryngitis

Heartburn is a symptom of GERD, those with GERD might not have heartburn, but chronic heartburn or acid reflux leads to GERD. The similar symptoms I explained above. The lungs can be affected by the acid over a period of time, which can cause your breathing tubes to shrink. Hoarseness is a more severe version of a sore throat, but not too much different. Due to all of the acid buildup in your throat and mouth, your breath won’t be smelling too fresh. Laryngitis is when you lose your voice.

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Heartburn or Heart Attack? - Symptom Comparison

Heartburn Symptoms – burning sensation near breastbone, usually occurs after meals or when lying on back, responds quickly to antacids, pain normally does not radiate (to shoulders, neck, or arms), and is rarely accompanied by a cold sweat.

Heart Attack Symptoms – A feeling of tightness or pain generally in the center of the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, pain may spread (to shoulders, neck, jaw or arms), sudden chest pain, lightheaded, accompanied by a cold sweat, and pain usually responds quickly to nitroglycerin.

The differences are clear. Now you should be able to tell apart heartburns from heart attacks! Now you may be wondering. What causes heartburn? Check out “Heartburn Causes” to find out!

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Heartburn Causes

Posted by HBS in Heartburn Causes

Now that you know the symptoms of heartburn, you should learn about the causes of it! This article will be split into two parts. The first part is specifically the causes of heartburn, and the second is the causes of acid reflux. List, then detail format! Remember, heartburn is just the burning sensation in your chest, while acid reflux focuses more on the acid build-up.
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Heartburn Causes

Large Meals
Fried, Greasy and Fatty Foods
Alcohol
Tomatoes and Tomato Sauces
Pepper
Garlic and Onions (Raw)
Spicy Foods
Chocolate
Citrus Fruits (Oranges, Lemons, and Grapefruit)
Caffeinated Beverages (Coffee, Tea, and Soda)
Abdominal Exercise
Blood Pressure and Heart Disease Medication

Several foods are the cause for most people’s heartburn. Any large, fried, greasy, or fatty foods will give you heartburn, especially if you eat before bed! Large meals will stretch your stomach, thus causing you LES to relax (more details in “Introduction to Heartburn” article). Alcohol is a big trigger for heartburn as well, specifically if you are drinking red wine. Similarly, red sauces should be avoided too! If it’s red, then.. it’s heartburn! Avoid that pizza before bed, especially if you like your pizza with black pepper! Double heartburn in that case. For the ultimate heartburn experience, I suggest adding garlic and raw onions to that pizza as well. Any spicy foods, such as curry or chocolate chili sauce, should also be avoided. Especially chocolate chili sauce! As chocolate is another trigger of heartburn! Oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and any juice relating to those fruits should be avoided! As most know, citrus fruits are one of the main triggers of heartburn and acidic build-up. Coffee, tea, and soda all contain caffeine, well unless it’s decaf, which can cause a bit of a heartburn (and a stomach ache if you have no food in you)! Exercises, such as crunches and ab training, causes pressure in your abdomen, which can lead to heartburn. Exercising on a full stomach can do this too. Last but not least, if you are taking any sort of blood pressure or heart disease medication, you might experience heartburn as well. Don’t mistake the symptoms of heartburn for the symptoms of a heart attack!

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Acid Reflux Causes

Hiatal Hernia
Pregnancy
Smoking & Alcohol
Chocolate
Citrus Fruits (Oranges, Lemons, and Grapefruit)
Caffeinated Beverages (Coffee, Tea, and Soda)
Fried, Greasy and Fatty Foods
Tomatoes and Tomato Sauces
Garlic and Onions (Raw)
Spicy Foods
Being Overweight
Lying Down After Eating
Aspirin and Ibuprofen Medication

Acid reflux triggers are similar to that of heartburn (especially the foods), but there are a few major differences. A hiatal hernia is when the stomach bulges up into the chest. If this occurs, it is much easier for acid to flow into your esophagus. Pregnancy, mostly during the third trimester, is another trigger. It is due to higher levels of hormones as well as pressure from the fetus growing. Smoking, as well as alcohol, is another trigger, as it increases acid secretion and relaxes the LES. Being overweight or obese, or lying down right after eating (which is why you don’t eat a big meal before bed) may cause acid reflux as well as heartburn! And of course the medications that can causes acid reflux are mainly pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

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If conditions of acid reflux worsen, we know it can lead to GERD.

Next up, the best way to avoid heartburn or acid reflux is to prevent it from happening! Obviously you want to avoid any of the causes above, but there are a few more tips for heartburn prevention you might not know!

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Heartburn Prevention

Posted by HBS in Heartburn Prevention

First, AVOID fries at all costs! They may look wonderful and delicious! But the grease contained in it will surely give you heartburn or acid reflux! Don’t you want to prevent heartburn?

If you haven’t read “Heartburn Causes“, I suggest you go back and do so, as it will help you determine which heartburn triggers you should avoid! The best way to treat anything is to prevent it from happening, your hatred for heartburn should motivate you to follow any prevention tips given here! You may have to chance your diet (no cheeseburgers!) and lifestyle (no smoking!), but if you don’t want to develop a bad case of GERP, those changes are well worth it.

1. Eat Smaller Meals. This is one of many tips when going on a diet, eat four-five small meals a day instead of three big ones! This tip also applies to preventing heartburn! With larger meals, more stomach acid is created, and there is a higher chance of you LES relaxing. (Read “Introduction to Heartburn” for more info on your LES)

2. Slow Down! Stop eating so fast! Try to savor every bite of the meal! Doing this will not only make you appreciate what you are eating, but also prevent heartburn as well!

3. Wait! Don’t Snack Then Sleep! That’s one of the worst things you can do! Haven’t you ever noticed your friend, who has frequent midnight snacks, always complain about heartburn? Especially if his midnight snack is a burger or pizza! If you fall asleep around midnight, then your last meal should have been around nine or ten. It is recommended that you wait two to three hours after eating before you lay down. This gives you body time to digest the food, meaning it gives your body time to throw a stomach acid party before settling down. You don’t want that stomach acid flowing through you esophagus while you sleep, right?

4. Don’t Sleep Flat. By that, I mean, keep your head a bit elevated. This will help keep any acid in your stomach rather than in your throat. Also, I find it a bit more comfortable than sleeping with one, low, ten-year old, pillow.

5. Smoke and Drink Alcohol! But only if you WANT heartburn of course! I already explained these two in the previous article. While we are on this note:

6. Avoid Heartburn Triggers! Try not too eat too much citrus or tomatoes, lose weight, and avoid those caffeinated beverages too! (See “Heartburn Causes“)

7. Chew More Gum! The reason for this to increase you saliva production! An increase in saliva means your body will be able to dilute and flush out stomach acid building up in your throat and mouth.

8. Drink Something Warm. No! Not coffee! Warm soda? Definitely not (that’s gross)! Warm Sake (Rice Wine)? I said NO alcohol! After eating a meal, especially one with red sauce or grease, it is a good idea to drink a cup of warm milk, warm water, or warm herbal tea. This will help flush out any stomach acid trying to bypass your LES!

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With the suggestions above, you should have no problem preventing having heartburn or acid reflux. Easier said than done for some cases, but that’s something you’ll have to work on, so you never have to type “Heartburn Sucks” on Google ever again! That’s right. I don’t want you here! I WANT YOU TO BE HEARTBURN FREE! If you already have heartburn, then you might be a little late preventing it this time! In that case, check out “Heartburn Remedies” for some suggestions on how to get rid of your current heartburn or acid reflux problem!

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Heartburn Remedies

Posted by HBS in Heartburn Remedies

Welcome to the “Heartburn Remedies” post! This might even be the first post you see, as you were probably looking for ways to cure your heartburn online! Well you have come to the right place! As I mentioned in other articles, the best remedy for heartburn relief is prevention! After reading the list below, I suggest you check out “Heartburn Prevention“, as well as “Heartburn Causes“. If you are unsure if you even have heartburn, then check out “Introduction to Heartburn” and “Heartburn Symptoms“. For more information about heartburn, you may also be interested in the “Heartburn No More!” ebook!

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Heartburn and Acid Reflux Remedies

1. Chewing Gum. The reason for this to increase you saliva production! An increase in saliva means your body will be able to dilute and flush out stomach acid building up in your throat and mouth.

2. Drink Skim Milk. Milk is a complicated remedy. It can help relieve you of heartburn, but can also cause it as well! Just stick to skim, and don’t drink too much!

3. Drink Tea (Chamomile, Ginger, or Peppermint). Normal tea filled with caffeine may be a heartburn trigger, but herbal tea, specifically the ones stated will help you with heartburn relief. Don’t chug the whole cup down though, just take sips. Adding honey will help do, plus give it more flavor!

4. Lemon Juice with Water. This might sound contradictory. Lemons?! Just add two teaspoons to a glass of water. It will help rid you of your heartburn. Just don’t add too much!

5. Apple Cider Vinegar. A teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar will help stop heartburn. Like tea, adding honey to it helps!

6. Pickle Juice. Although it sounds gross, taking a few gulps of pickle juice will calm the acidic build-up caused by any heartburn triggers.

7. Eat Yogurt. Yogurt is cool and smooth, a nice relief for your throat.

8. Raw Almonds. A handful of almonds may do the trick! They are also good for you. Don’t use this method if you’re allergic to nuts though!

9. Mustard. A spoonful of mustard, or two if you think you need it, is yet another remedy that could help!

10. Pineapple. Just a slice of pineapple can help relieve your heartburn!

11. Everything Stated In “Heartburn Prevention“.

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There you have it! With the tips above, there’s nothing stopping you from obliterating your heartburn! Or so it seems. For more information on heartburn, check out the “Heartburn No More!” ebook on the ‘I Hate Heartburn!‘ page. If it’s not here, it’s there!

If you have any suggestions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Thanks for viewing the site, and I hope it has been a valuable resource to you!

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A Guide To Heartburn

Posted by HBS in Heartburn No More

Heartburn No More is an eBook that goes into FAR greater detail than HeartburnSucks.com! If you thought the information here was good, then you’ll be blown away by what this eBook holds! If you are uninterested and have already gained enough from this site, then that’s fine too! This ebook is only for those who want to gain more knowledge of heartburn, the branches of heartburn, and how each can be treated and cured. For more information about this eBook, check out my full review on the “I Hate Heartburn” page!

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