Are Heartburn and Stomach Ulcers Connected?

Stomach ulcers and heartburn can ruin your entire day. Both at the same time? You’ll be in the fetal position begging for it to end. Our clients at The Gut Authority often ask if the two are connected.

Here is some key information you need to know about stomach ulcers and heartburn.

What Are Stomach Ulcers

Stomach ulcers are sores that line the stomach or small intestine. These painful ulcers pop up when the protective mucus that lines the stomach becomes ineffective. This can happen for several different reasons:

Excess stomach acidity
Frequent steroid usage
Smoking
Overproducing calcium
Genetics
Heavy alcohol consumption

Some of the symptoms of stomach ulcers include pain that is often described as “biting” pain, weight loss, nausea, burping, bloating, and indigestion. We should point out that not all stomach ulcers cause indigestion.

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest that often occurs after eating, in the evening, or when bending over. Occasional heartburn is typical, and generally, there’s no cause for concern. Frequent heartburn can be a symptom of a serious condition that often requires care from a healthcare provider. Some of the foods that can cause heartburn include:

Spicy foods
Onions
Citrus products
Tomato products
Fatty or fried foods
Peppermint
Chocolate
Alcohol

Being overweight or pregnant can also increase your risk of heartburn. Frequent heartburn can be treated by prescription medications or surgery, but may also be addressed naturally through diet, supplementation, and lifestyle changes.

Are the Two Connected?

Although you can experience heartburn and the symptoms of a stomach ulcer, it is not believed that the two are connected. However, the two can both be symptoms of certain diseases. On top of that, what you may think is heartburn may actually be indigestion caused by a stomach ulcer.

Experiencing the symptoms of both a stomach ulcer and heartburn does not mean the two are connected. If the symptoms you are experiencing from either heartburn or stomach ulcers become debilitating, you should seek immediate medical care.

How to Prevent Stomach Ulcers and Heartburn

Nobody wants their day ruined by heartburn. That’s why our team at The Gut Authority works with clients to better their lifestyles. After all, the best way to avoid stomach ulcers and heartburn is by getting enough restful sleep, eating better, and exercising frequently. Here are some of the foods we recommend to our patients to lower their risk of symptoms:

Fruits and vegetables – These foods are rich in antioxidants
Fiber – Foods high in fiber reduce the risk of ulcers
Probiotics – Foods high in probiotics can improve symptoms of indigestion
Vitamin C – Fruits, legumes, oranges, and tomatoes contain high levels of vitamin C
Zinc – Foods like oysters, spinach, and beef help maintain a healthy immune system
Selenium – Foods like Brazil nuts, yellow fin tuna, and halibut can promote healing

We’re Ready to Help

If you’re tired of suffering from the side effects of stomach ulcers and heartburn, our team here at The Gut Authority is ready to help. We help improve the lifestyle and diet of people from the Pensacola, Florida area, as well as in southern Alabama and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It is our goal to help them live longer, healthier, happier lives. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you!