The Heartburn & Ulcers Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like heartburn and ulcers, you are never alone.  Countless men and women have faced the exact same diagnosis and have survived and thrived.  The following Guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other heartburn and ulcer patients when they faced the same challenge.  

TSC has scoured the Internet and assembled links to the very best heartburn and ulcer resources: articles, blogs, forums and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional and other challenges you’re facing.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this Heartburn & Ulcer Guide even more helpful to survivors like you.   

JUST FOUND OUT 

Survivors Say: Best Resources for a Diagnosis of Heartburn & Ulcers

• What is a Stomach Ulcer?  How can you tell the difference between an ulcer and heartburn?
• Treating Heartburn & Ulcers  What can you do to combat the effects of heartburn and ulcers?
• Acid Reflux, Heartburn & Ulcers  Learn how acid reflux can cause ulcers and other digestive problems.

The Big Picture

Heartburn and ulcers affect countless millions of Americans.  It is thought that all adults suffer heartburn at some time or another.  Chronic heartburn, more than two or three times a week, can be a sign of other problems and can lead to still further complications, such as peptic ulcers.  

While many people have specific medical conditions which increase the chances of chronic heartburn, there are things that everyone can do to lessen their chances of getting heartburn.

Tea, coffee and other drinks containing caffeine can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, (the muscle that helps to keep the contents of your stomach from backing up into your esophagus) thereby increasing your risk of heartburn.  Chocolate, tomatoes and tomato-based products, alcohol and tobacco can all have a relaxing effect on the LES and should be avoided whenever possible.  

Even fruit and fruit juices should be limited.

Don’t eat huge meals that make you feel bloated or even particularly full.  Tight-fitting clothing can also squeeze the stomach and put pressure on the LES.  And don’t lie down after a big meal as this makes it easier for stomach acids to run into the esophagus.

The Most Frequent Causes of Heartburn

The most frequent cause of ulcers is bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, commonly referred to as H pylori.  It is not known yet if acid reflux weakens the lining of the esophagus and increases the chances of H pylori gaining a foothold or not.  However, some studies have indicated that there is a direct connection.

What Causes Ulcers?

Your Heartburn and Ulcers

Heartburn and ulcers are rarely fatal by themselves.  However, they do cause discomfort and pain and can interrupt sleep.  In the case of ulcers they can potentially rupture blood vessels and cause death. It is possible for chronic acid reflux (GERD) to contribute to esophageal cancer.

The good news is that today there are several medications that can keep acid reflux from troubling most people and there are antibiotic treatments for H pylori that can completely cure ulcers.  

There is one condition that often requires some form of surgery to repair, and that is Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease, commonly known as GERD.

Take the GERD Quiz

Your World

Obviously you are going to be concerned the moment you hear a diagnosis of heartburn, GERD or ulcers.  This is perfectly normal.  Talk with your loved ones and reach out to support centers during the initial stages of your journey.  In fact, why not reach out right now to a GERD support group?

GERD Support Group

Heartburn & Ulcers Myths

• You are the cause of your heartburn and 9 other myths.  Ten Heartburn Myths – Busted!
• Almost everything we learned about ulcers when we were growing up was just plain WRONG! Top Ulcer Myths.

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors:

• Watch an overview of all the latest discoveries concerning GERD and its treatment. New Treatments For GERD [VIDEO]
• Find out which foods are actually good for your ulcer and heartburn and which could cause you the most pain.  An Ulcer-Friendly Diet

Types of Treatment

The treatments available for heartburn and ulcers vary depending on the severity of the problem and on how the problem responds to simple over-the-counter or prescription drugs.   In the case of ulcers an antibiotic treatment is available which cures the vast majority of ulcers. In rare cases laparoscopic surgery may be required to repair the lower esophageal sphincter. 

• Treatments for Heartburn
• Treatments for GERD
• Treatments for Ulcers

Possible Treatment Side Effects

Almost any medical treatment has side effects, even the antacids used for the treatment of heartburn. For most patients the side effects are less severe than the pain and discomfort of the heartburn, but that may or may not be the case with you – after all, each person reacts differently to different medications.  If you have a bad reaction to one antacid let your doctor know – there are many antacids designed to relieve heartburn pain and you and your doctor should be able to find one that takes care of your problem while causing the fewest side effects.

Side Effects of Heartburn Treatments

Side effects of GERD treatments are usually similar to those for heartburn, although there are minor differences.

• Side Effects Ulcer Surgery
• Side Effects Antibiotic Ulcer Treatment
  

Creating a support circle

• Set up your TSC Survivor Profile
• Join support groups of other survivors or set up your own
• Interact and provide updates on your profile or our forums.
  

Insurance & Work Matters

Insurance Matters

Most health insurance plans pay for prescription antacids to control chronic heartburn and GERD.  However, some plans do not, so you need to check with your plan first so you understand what is covered and what is not.  Many insurance plans will only pay for generic versions of antacids (if available), so talk with your doctor about the types of prescriptions he or she will write for you.

Medicaid and Medicare generally pay for antibiotic ulcer treatments, but check with the Medicaid department in your particular state before treatment begins.

Work Matters

GERD is generally covered by workman’s compensation insurance.  It is estimated that in one way or another, each employee with GERD costs an employer over $3,300 annually and results in $75 billion in lost productivity each year on a nationwide basis.

GERD Costs to Employers

Health-care Providers Who Can Help

Most doctors are quite capable of handling cases of chronic heartburn, ulcers or GERD.  However, if you wish to find a doctor who specializes in ulcer care, check out:

Find an Ulcer Specialist

The Emotional Roller-Coaster

Your chances of surviving heartburn and ulcers are very good, especially if your condition gets the proper treatment.  But regardless of what your doctor might say, it is perfectly natural for you to be concerned…even scared. After all, chronic acid reflux can be a precursor to esophageal cancer. So if you are concerned rest assured that you are not alone.  Tens of thousands of men and women (and even children) in this country have been in the same spot you are in right now.  If you begin to feel overwhelmed then it is vital that you change the way you look at yourself and your condition.  Determine to live your life as normally as possible, and participate in the same daily activities you've always enjoyed.

Educate yourself on the reality of your condition and read books and stories written by those who have dealt with chronic heartburn and ulcers and survived.  

Angie’s Story of Personal Survival

Books Survivors Recommend

• 50 Ways to Relieve Heartburn, Reflux and Ulcers
• How to Stop Heartburn
• H Pylori-Associated Gastrointestinal Disease 
  

Communicating with Your Health-care providers

Bring a friend or family member with you to your appointments. Your friend is there not only to provide support but to lend an extra ear and to possibly ask questions you may not have thought of.  If you can’t bring a friend, bring a tape recorder.

Don't be afraid to ask any questions you feel you need the answer to, even if you may be scared of the answer. Ignorance is not your friend when you’re battling heartburn and ulcers.

Write down any questions you may have ahead of time and the answers to those questions as your health-care provider walks you through them.  Don't be afraid to ask for clarification on anything.

• Questions to Ask Your Doctor About GERD
• 10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Heartburn
• Questions to Ask About Your Peptic Ulcer
  

Dealing With Heartburn and Ulcers: Information and Recommended Links for Co-Survivors:

How you can help

• Be there for your friend or family member.  Let them know you care, that you still love them and that you are 100% behind their efforts to cure their condition.
• Maintain a normal daily routine as much as possible.  Allow the patient to make as many decisions as possible concerning his or her treatment.
• Involve your friend or family member with others. Don't focus exclusively on their disease and treatment plan. An oral cancer patient who is involved with others has a better chance of avoiding feelings of abandonment.
  

What to say    

• "I will support your decision in whichever treatment option you choose."
• "Do you want to talk about it?"
•  Tell them how much you care about them.

What not to say

• "Don't worry, we'll find a way to make this all go away."
• "We'll see every specialist in the country and spend as much money as it will take to get you well."
• "You worry too much and bring these ulcers on yourself."
  

Things you can do for a survivor every day

If the patient isn't a family member, help out when they are away by picking up the mail or newspaper, making meals, going grocery shopping, etc. If the patient is a family member, help out with chores or other duties they may have fallen behind on. Help them get their life back on track – and then step back and allow them to get on with their lives.

How to build a support network   

• Set up your TSC Co-Survivor Profile
  
• Create a support group for your friend or family member.
• Interact and provide updates
  

How to help a heartburn and ulcer patient deal with day-to-day challenges

As painful and uncomfortable as it may be to discover that your have chronic heartburn or an ulcer, you can at least be reassured by the fact that your condition is almost certainly treatable.  Still, there’s no way to completely avoid the feelings of anxiety that such a diagnosis can create.  

As difficult as it is for adults to deal with chronic heartburn or ulcers, consider for a moment how much more painful it is for parents to have to deal with small children suffering from these afflictions.

Dealing With GERD in Children

The vast majority of patients suffering with heartburn, GERD or ulcers survive and thrive.  But that should not deter you from seeking help immediately if you feel you may have one of these conditions.  Left untreated heartburn, GERD or ulcers can lead to cancer and other major life-threatening problems.
 
So what can you do now?  Start by telling your story.  Not only will you put your own thoughts and feelings into perspective but you can provide hope to others who are going through a similar journey themselves, whether it’s oral cancer or another form of cancer.

Remission / Recovery / Recurrence

The remission or cure rate for heartburn, GERD and ulcers is very high. In most cases treatment is successful, although monitoring for a relapse is highly recommended.

If there is a recurrence of your condition it is usually easily treatable but it is natural that you will want to do whatever you can to prevent a recurrence.  Find out what you can do to help prevent heartburn, GERD and ulcers.

The Truth About Preventing Heartburn & Ulcers

Give back


What helped you while you were dealing with your heartburn and ulcers? Take a look back at your journey and share with others what helped you and what you wished you would have known/done during your experience. You can create a profile, reach out to other survivors, join support circles or share your story by following the links at TheSurvivorsClub.org.

Since heartburn, ulcers and even GERD is not usually fatal, there are only a few charities that specialize in providing help to people with these disorders.

To Donate

While GERD is not usually fatal, there are many complications which can arise from this dangerous disease.  Arming yourself with the right knowledge could help you avoid one of the worst case scenarios.

When GERD Goes Bad