First Time at the About Heartburn / Acid Reflux Site?

First time here? These resources will get you started.

Controlling Heartburn Through Diet

Good Food / Bad Food For Heartburn Sufferers
Does it seem like no matter what you eat, heartburn keeps occurring? Anyone suffering from heartburn needs have a special acid reflux diet. Find resources on creating your acid reflux diet, foods that are safe or those that should be avoided, and those foods you can eat in moderation.

Recipes For Heartburn Sufferers
These recipes that will help heartburn-sufferers prepare food that will aide in good digestion. It isn't just the foods you select that help you with the heartburn. It is also important how the foods are prepared.

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Meal Plans For Heartburn Sufferers

Weekly menus are arranged Sunday through Saturday. Each dinner menu (weekly and daily menus) gives an Entree with a link to the recipe for its preparation. These menus are suggestions only, and not the only foods you may be able to eat. You can add or subtract foods according to your preferences and what may or may not be your heartburn triggers.

Weekly Menus - Index
Daily Menus - Index
Breakfast Menus - Index
Lunch Menus - Index
Dinner Menus - Index

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Understanding Heartburn

The Mechanisms of Heartburn / Acid Reflux
What causes heartburn, how it can be treated, how it can be prevented.

What Increases Your Risk of Developing Acid Reflux (Heartburn)
There are several factors that can increase your risk of suffering from acid reflux (heartburn). Some of these factors you can have a message of control over, and for those you can't control, you can reduce the occurrences of acid reflux.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) - What is it?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) in Infants
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), or GERD, occurs often in normal infants. One of the most common symptoms is spitting up. More than half of all babies experience reflux in the first 3 months of life. Only a small number of infants have severe symptoms due to GER. Learn the symptoms and how is it diagnosed.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) in Children and Adolescents
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) or GERD. often begins in infancy and then subsides, but for a small number of infants, GER continue as they grow older. Learn the symptoms and how it's diagnosed.

Ulcers
Learn about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and complications involved with peptic ulcers.

Hiatal Hernia
Some people suffer from Gastroesophageal reflux disease because they have a hiatal hernia. Learn what a hiatal hernia is, and how to live with it.

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Preventing Heartburn

Learn How To Prevent Heartburn / Acid Reflux
Simple tips you can follow that will help you prevent heartburn.

How To Prevent Nighttime Heartburn / Acid Reflux
Nearly eight in ten heartburn sufferers experience symptoms at night. If staying up all night isn't the option you are prepared to take for handling your nighttime heartburn, the following suggestions should help you.

How To Eat Out When You Suffer From Heartburn
Just as at home, eating certain foods in restaurants can trigger heartburn. Knowing what to avoid can lead to a more enjoyable dining experience.

More Prevention Tips
Tips and self-help suggestions for preventing heartburn / acid reflux.

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Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications

Causes
There are several causes of heartburn / acid reflux. Finding out what these are, and how they cause heartburn, can help you prevent it.

Diagnosis
There are specific diagnostic tests the doctor will use to determine if your heartburn is something more serious, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Treatment
It's important to know how to treat the heartburn. Treatment can range from lifestyle change to surgery.

Complications
If GERD is untreated, complications can occur.

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Other Resources For Heartburn Sufferers

Heartburn Forum
Whether you suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or one of the other conditions that cause heartburn, such as peptic ulcers, hiatal hernias, gastritis, or gastroparesis, you'll find you're not alone. On the Heartburn forum you can meet other people who suffer from chronic heartburn. Exchange ideas on about treatment and lifestyle issues, post your concerns and questions, or help others find an answer to their questions.

If you need more information than what is provided above, you can click on any of the Category topics listed to the left on each page, or go to http://heartburn.about.com/od/ to explore the Categories. You can also use the search box at the top of each page to search for the information you need.