Articles Index

Tums

Tums is used as an antacid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and stomach upset.

Symptoms of Heartburn

These are the most commonly experienced symptoms of heartburn (reflux).

What You Need to Know About Acid Reflux Disease and GERD

Whether you suspect you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (also referred to as acid reflux disease) or you are newly diagnosed, you will want to know the symptoms, the causes, and the treatment of GERD.

Foods to Avoid if You Suffer from Heartburn

There are various foods you may need to avoid if you suffer from acid reflux (heartburn). These foods can trigger different responses from the body that allow heartburn to happen.

Esophageal Strictures

An esophageal stricture is a gradual narrowing of the esophagus, which can lead to swallowing difficulties. Learn the causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment of esophageal strictures.

Bernstein Test

The Bernstein test, also called acid perfusion test, is a diagnostic procedure used to try to reproduce the symptoms of heartburn.

Anatomy of an Ulcer

The structure of peptic ulcers, why they happen, and what can be done to heal them.

NSAIDs and Peptic Ulcers

Most peptic ulcers are caused by infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). But some peptic ulcers are caused by prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.

Esophageal Manometry

Esophageal manometry is a diagnostic test for determining how well the muscles of the esophagus contract. It can determine if the esophagus is contracting properly.

11 Resources for Heartburn Control

Resources to help heartburn sufferers gain control over their heartburn.

Heartburn-Friendly Beef Recipes

You may have thought you couldn't eat beef if you suffered from heartburn. While you may need to select leaner cuts of meat and very lean ground beef, it is possible to enjoy those beef recipes without having to worry about heartburn.

Heartburn-Friendly Turkey Recipes

Turkey is a safe choice for most heartburn sufferers, because it is leaner than beef and ground turkey can often be substituted for ground beef in many recipes. With these turkey recipes, you will also get great tasting dishes that are more heartburn friendly because of the lower fat content.

Heartburn-Friendly Pork Recipes

Pork is often called "the other white meat" and is often as lean as chicken. Pork tenderloin is especially lean. The recipes here are heartburn-friendly, because fat is sometimes a heartburn trigger. Leaner meats and low-fat ingredients cut down on fat content.

Heartburn-Friendly Chicken Recipes

Chicken is a safe choice for most heartburn sufferers, but it can soon become a boring meal without some variety. The same goes for other main dishes. With these recipes, however, you will not only have variety, but you will also get the great taste of many of your old favorites!

Lifestyle Changes That Can Prevent Heartburn

Heartburn symptoms can often be relieved if sufferers make a few lifestyle changes. Follow these ten suggestions to significantly reduce the occurrence of acid reflux symptoms.

Natural Remedies for Heartburn

Millions of people will suffer from heartburn. For some individuals, the episodes only occur occasionally, perhaps once a month. For others, heartburn can become chronic, occurring two or more times a week. There are treatment options available, but for many people, they prefer to use a natural, home remedy to treat their heartburn.

Heartburn and Smoking

Learn why cigarette smoking makes heartburn worse, and why you should cut back or quit completely.

Managing Stress to Prevent Heartburn

While stress hasn't been linked directly to heartburn, it can lead to behaviors that can trigger heartburn. Find ways to alleviate the stress, and thus make stress-related heartburn less likely.

Alcohol Can Trigger Heartburn

Alcohol can have several unpleasant affects on heartburn sufferers. It is best to avoid alcohol if you suffer from acid reflux. But there are a few tips that may make it possible for you to enjoy alcoholic beverages if consumed in moderation.

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)

There are two sphincter muscles located in the esophagus: The lower esophageal sphincter and upper esophageal sphincter. When the lower esophageal sphincter is not functioning properly, there is a backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, and can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. If the upper esophageal sphincter doesn't function properly, acid is allowed into the throat and voice box. When this happens, it's called Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, or LPR.

Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children

Almost all children have a little bit of reflux, without being aware of it. For some children and adolescents, however, this reflux may be chronic. Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) often begins in infancy and then subsides, but for a small number of infants, GER symptoms continue as they grow older.

Complications of Long-Term GERD

If gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD - also referred to as acid reflux disease) is not treated effectively, the constant acid reflux can irritate the lining of hte esophagus, and serious complication can occur.

Treating Hiatal Hernias

For approximately 50% of individuals with a hiatal hernia, symptoms are not present. For those who do experience symptoms, it is usually caused by heartburn, or acid reflux. Many individuals with a hiatal hernia also have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. For them, their doctors may prescribe a treatment plan that is similar to the treatment for GERD.

Peptic Ulcers in Children

Many people think ulcers are an "adult disease." Children, however, can and do develop ulcers. It is important to learn the symptoms of childhood ulcers, how they are treated and what the signs of an emergency situation are.

Hiatal Hernia Screening Quiz

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm, and up into the chest. This opening is called the esophageal hiatus or diaphragmatic hiatus. Do you think you suffer from a hiatal hernia? Take this hiatal hernia screening quiz, and then discuss the results with your doctor.