Welcome to the heartburn and acid reflux information website!

About 20% of Americans suffer from heartburn at least once a week. Statistics gathered in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom indicate that 20-40% of the population suffers from acid reflux. Millions more may suffer in silence.

Here you will learn everything you need to know about heartburn and acid reflux. You will also learn how to stop it.

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn occurs when gastric acid moves up and out of the stomach and enters the lower part of the esophagus. The acid irritates and burns the lining of the esophagus, causing a burning pain near the center of the chest, behind the breast bone.

When heartburn occurs on a frequent basis, it may be a symptom of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, GORD or simply acid reflux. Less often, the burning pain is a symptom of gastritis, an inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

Other common symptoms of acid reflux include vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Some people experience nausea, pain when swallowing, coughing or hoarseness. Chest pain is another possible symptom, but chest pain should always be evaluated by a professional, since it could be a symptom of a heart problem.

The symptoms of gastritis are similar. There may be nausea, vomiting, bloating or burping. The location of the pain, however, is usually different. In most cases, the pain is localized in the upper portion of the stomach. It is not usually described as pain in the chest.

Occasional heartburn is usually nothing to worry about. It may be due to overeating, stress, eating too quickly, eating spicy foods, drinking coffee, drinking alcohol or using tobacco.

But, because of the damage done by stomach acid, heartburn can lead to changes in the esophagus that result in narrowing, ulceration or cancer. So, heartburn is not something to be ignored. It should be taken seriously. The body can repair the damage, but only if the erosion stops.

What Are the Treatments for Heartburn, GERD and Gastritis?

The same kinds of medications are used to treat all three conditions. The most common are antacids, H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors.

Antacids

Antacids can be purchased over the counter. They work to neutralize stomach acid, because they have an alkaline pH level. The pH of gastric acid is between 0 and 1. The pH of milk of magnesia, for example, is around 10. So, as the alkaline substance reaches the esophagus, it helps to reduce the pH of the gastric acid and the burning stops.

Antacids contain different active ingredients, along with inactive artificial flavorings, colorings and other additives. The risks associated with their use vary depending on the ingredients. The most common ingredients are:

• Calcium—excessive calcium intake can cause kidney stones and kidney failure due to a condition called milk-alkali syndrome. The incidence of milk-alkali syndrome in older women has risen in recent decades according to studies, because the women take a combination of calcium supplements for the prevention of osteoporosis and calcium-based antacids. Other health problems caused by excess calcium include constipation, muscle pain, spasms, weakness, cramps, vomiting and dehydration.
• Carbonate—some antacids contain calcium combined with carbonate. Either calcium or carbonate can cause milk-alkali syndrome and the symptoms mentioned above. In addition to those problems, carbonate can cause bloating or gastric distension, which is also painful. Headaches and inflexible muscles are other symptoms of excessive carbonate in the body.
• Magnesium hydroxide—found in milk of magnesia and other products. The most common unpleasant side effect is diarrhea. As is the case with calcium, excessive magnesium intake can damage the kidneys. It can also cause heart problems and nerve damage.
• Aluminum hydroxide—found in Pepsamar and other OTC antacids. Aluminum consumption may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Aluminum deposits have been found in the brain lesions of Alzheimer’s patients. Aluminum can also accumulate in other tissues of the body leading to muscle dysfunction or weakness, reduced heart rate or low blood pressure, difficulty breathing or swallowing and changes in mental status, such as confusion, delirium or coma. Softening of the bones may also occur. Constipation is the most common side effect. Antacids containing aluminum hydroxide should not be taken during pregnancy.
• Sodium—excess sodium in the diet leads to high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney disease. Some antacids contain more sodium in one tablet than the average person should consume in a day.

Despite all of the possible risks and side effects, antacids are still generally considered the safest treatment for heartburn. But, they are usually ineffective for people with acid reflux.

H2-Receptor Antagonists

The H2 receptor antagonists include famotidine, nizatidine, cimetidine and ranitidine. One of the popular brand names is Zantac. The drugs are sold over the counter at low doses in the US.

H2 antagonists do not neutralize stomach acid. They interfere with the production of stomach acid by blocking the activity of histamine. Normally histamine in foods stimulates the acid-producing cells of the stomach.

While we think of stomach acid as a bad thing, because it causes heartburn, we would not be able to digest the foods that we eat without it. Many of the adverse effects of the H2 antagonists are basically symptoms of poor nutrient absorption or malnutrition. The adverse effects include:

• Low blood pressure
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Rashes
• Dizziness
• Impotence or low sex drive
• Cognitive decline

In addition to the adverse effects, the H2 antagonists interfere with the liver’s ability to metabolize other drugs. As a result, certain drugs can build up in the bloodstream reaching toxic levels.

Anyone taking prescription drugs should not use OTC H2 antagonists without learning about the potential for toxicity. Even alcohol can become toxic if it is not properly processed by the liver.

Proton-Pump Inhibitors

PPIs are the best-selling drugs in the world according to studies conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. They significantly reduce the amount of gastric acid produced by the stomach. As mentioned above, that is not a good thing in the long run, because of poor nutrient absorption.

People who use PPIs on a regular basis have an increased risk of bone fractures, due to poor calcium and magnesium absorption. One study of PPI-users over the age of 50 showed they were 2.6 times more likely to break a hip than non-PPI users in the same age group. Even people taking smaller doses were 1.2-1.6 times more likely to break a hip. Complications associated with hip fractures can cause death.

Due to poor absorption from foods, there is also an increased risk of B12 deficiency, which can be fatal if left untreated because of permanent nerve damage. Early symptoms of B12 deficiency include fatigue, memory loss, depression and personality changes.

Long-term chronically low B12 levels in the body are associated with a number of health problems, including Alzheimer’s, heart disease, clinical depression, bipolar disorder and anemia.

The common side effects of PPIs are similar to those of the other drugs used to treat heartburn and acid reflux. Headache, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue and dizziness are common. Stomach pain, gas, constipation, rashes, anxiety and depression have also been reported.

Rare, but serious adverse reactions that have been reported include:

• Pancreatitis
• Erythematic Multiform
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
• Interstitial Nephritis

Not only is gastric acid necessary for digestion and absorption of nutrients, it also plays a role in immune system function by helping to destroy illness-causing pathogens. Use of PPIs is known to be associated with an increased risk of pneumonia and other infections.

Last, but certainly not least, a study conducted in 2010 showed that PPI use is associated with an increased risk of heart arrhythmias, which can lead to heart attack. The study suggests that PPI-users have four times the risk of arrhythmia. The risk is due to the changes in pH and electrolyte levels caused by the drugs.

It seems obvious that drugs are not the answer to heartburn, acid reflux or other digestive problems.

What about Safe and Natural Treatments?

There are safe and natural treatments for all digestive disorders. There’s even a holistic system that provides relief from heartburn and literally cures acid reflux in a matter of months.

A nutritionist by the name of Jeff Martin designed the program originally to cure his own problem, severe acid reflux, and end his own suffering. His system is a unique 5-step method that you won’t hear about from any doctor or find on a pharmacy shelf.

The system works fast, but it is not a quick fix. The conventional treatments mentioned above address only the symptoms, not the underlying cause of digestive disorders.

Those companies promoting herbal remedies and other magic pills claim to have discovered an easy solution. Take it from someone who has tried all of those remedies. While they might work temporarily, they are not cures for heartburn or acid reflux. The only cure I have found is Jeff’s holistic approach.

Jeff’s system was created after 11 years of acid reflux research. He discovered an amazing connection between acid reflux and physical activity, through the process of trial and error. You will learn everything you need to know about how and when to exercise and you will learn so much more in Jeff’s book “Heartburn No More”.

There are no pills to buy, no prescriptions to have filled, no doctors to see. All you need to do is follow the step-by-step method outlined in the book and you will be back on the road to better health in no time. You can download the book immediately and get started today.

If you are ready to stop suffering, click here to learn about the cure!