Can Heartburn Cause Stomach Pain

Can I Do Anything Else To Avoid Dyspepsia

You can do quite a bit to help yourself feel better:

• If you smoke, stop smoking.

• If some foods bother your stomach, try to avoid eating them.

• Try to reduce the stress in your life.

• If you have acid reflux, don’t eat right before bedtime. Raising the head of your bed with blocks under two legs may also help.

• Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, don’t take a lot of anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and ketoprofin . Acetaminophen is a better choice for pain, because it doesn’t hurt your stomach.

Diagnosing H Pylori Infection

If your GP thinks that your symptoms may be due to an infection with H pylori bacteria, you may need to have a test for it, such as:

• a stool antigen test a pea-sized stool sample will be tested for H pylori bacteria
• a breath test
• a blood test a blood sample will be tested for antibodies to H pylori bacteria

Antibiotics and PPIs can affect the results of a urea breath test or a stool antigen test. Therefore, these tests may need to be delayed until two weeks after you last used a PPI, and four weeks after you last used an antibiotic.

Can Acid Reflux Lead To Diarrhea

When someone has acid reflux, its not uncommon for IBS to happen at the same time. Diarrhea isnt a direct symptom of acid reflux, but its a symptom of IBS. If youre experiencing both IBS and acid reflux simultaneously, its likely to lead to diarrhea.

The increased amount of stomach acid produced that triggers acid reflux can cause ulcers. The ulcers can occur in the stomach and intestine, which can cause diarrhea. If youre experiencing diarrhea along with acid reflux, dietary changes can help you eliminate both.

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A Nasty Little Bug That Can Cause Heartburn & Reflux

Helicobacter pylori A nasty infection

Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, is a bacterium that infects the human stomach. H. pylori infection can cause heartburn, reflux, gastritis, stomach ulcers, and even stomach cancer. Conventional treatment is usually a combination of multiple antibiotics and acid-suppressive medication, termed triple therapy or quadruple therapy. However, these protocols often fail, as H. pylori becomes increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Additionally, these treatments cause many unpleasant side effects, which prevents many people from completing the protocol properly.

H. pylori causes heartburn and reflux by increasing gastric acid secretion. It also releases noxious substances that can damage the lining of the stomach and oesophagus.

H. pylori can be part of a healthy stomach microbiome if kept in balance

Up to 50% of the population carry H. pylori, however only a small percentage of these people develop problems such as gastric ulcers. Why is this? One theory is that H. pylori is not necessarily pathogenic and can actually exist as a harmonious part of the normal microbiome of the stomach. It only causes inflammation and damage when it becomes overgrown due an imbalance in the numbers of different bacteria. In this case, supporting a healthy stomach microbiome could prevent the adverse effects of H. pylori infection, without needing to eradicate it entirely.

Probiotics can improve H. pylori treatment outcomes

How Is Indigestion Diagnosed

A healthcare provider will review your medical history, symptoms and lifestyle. Try to explain your indigestion in as much detail as possible. Note the type of discomfort and where you feel it. Also tell your healthcare provider when you experience indigestion. For example, does it occur after a meal or on an empty stomach? Is it worse in the morning or at night? Do certain foods make it worse?

Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam. Theyll check your belly for swelling or tenderness. They may use a stethoscope to check your stomach for growling or gurgling.

Other diagnostic tests may include:

• Blood tests, to assess your liver, kidney and thyroid function.
• Breath test, to check for H pylori.
• Imaging exams, to check for blockages or other problems in the intestines. Imaging exams may include X-ray,CT scan or upper endoscopy.
• Stool test, to check poop for H. pylori or other bacterial infections.

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Why Else Do Vitamins Cause Nausea

If youre taking another type of supplement that isnt vitamin C or iron and find that youre feeling sick afterwards, you might need to take a look at the dosage on the product packaging you could be taking too much.

The NHS has an online guide explaining how many milligrams of each vitamin you should take per day exceeding this could cause problems. You shouldnt take more 1,000mg per day of vitamin C, for example, as this can cause stomach pain and diarrhoea. Labels on vitamin C bottles may caution this, too.

If youre taking more than one supplement at the same time, check if the ingredients overlap at all you might be doubling up on something, adds Phil Day, superintendent pharmacist for Pharmacy2U. This could make you feel bad, especially if this has been going on for a long time.

This is more likely to be a problem with fat soluble vitamins because these cant be easily eliminated from the body, unlike water soluble vitamins that the body can remove when you go for a wee.

Another possible cause for your nausea is that the supplement is clashing with a prescribed medicine youre taking. This is why its always important to speak to a GP or pharmacist before taking new vitamins.

How Does Sparkling Carbonated Water Affect Digestion

When you want to stay healthy, your digestive system needs to be working effectively. Carbonated water can slow the digestive process. When you drink a carbonated beverage, the foods you eat stay in your stomach longer. The effects on your digestive system are even worse if the water contains sugar, caffeine, or both.

This also prevents your body from absorbing all the nutrients from your food. While food remaining in your stomach can help curb your appetite if you are on a diet, it is not worth the negative effects on your digestive system. You will not gain the full nutritive value from the foods you eat.

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Sore Throat Or Hoarseness

A sore throat that doesnt go away and isnt accompanied by typical cold symptoms may be caused by acid reflux. Your throat feels sore because a little bit of acid is coming up from the esophagus and irritating the throat, says Dr. Sam. Unexplained hoarseness may be caused by stomach acid moving up to your larynx, or voice box, and, according to EverydayHealth.com, tends to be more noticeable in the mornings when it had all night to travel while you were lying down.

Learn how to spot the telltale signs of strep throat.

Can Carbonated Water Cause Stomach Problems

Whether you have a personal preference or want to try something new, you may be thinking about different types of water. You want water that tastes good, but you are also concerned about your health.

Perhaps you are wondering Can carbonated water cause stomach problems? As the answer to this question is Yes, there are many reasons to avoid this type of water for stomach health and comfort. When you have some information, you may decide to never drink it at all.

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When In Doubt Check It Out

If youre not sure if its heartburn or your heart, seek medical attention right away. Its very easy to confuse the two issues so let a doctor rule out the most severe possibility. This is an especially important message for women.

Women are more likely to call help for someone else but not themselves, Bauman said. In fact, 81 percent of women said they would call 911 for someone else showing signs of a heart attack but only 65 percent would call for themselves, according to a special report in Circulation.

She added: I always tell people if youre concerned and not sure if its your heart, its better to err on the side of checking it out and having someone tell you its not a heart attack.

Acid Reflux And Stomach Bloating

You are probably familiar with the gassy, abdominal pain referred to as bloating. You may even know that acid reflux is a result of some of the acidic contents of the stomach leaking back up into the esophagus, where it burns or irritates the lining. But you may be unaware that bloating and acid reflux are sometimes linked to each other. Bloating can sometimes contribute to and result in acid reflux.

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How Acid Reflux And Gerd May Damage The Throat

In addition to potentially damaging the lower esophagus, frequent heartburn or GERD may also damage the upper throat. This can occur if the stomach acid comes all the way up into the back of the throat or nasal airway. This condition is often referred to as laryngopharyngeal reflux .

LPR is also sometimes called silent reflux, because it doesnt always present symptoms that people readily recognize. Its important for individuals with GERD to be checked for LPR to avoid any potential throat or voice damage. Symptoms of LPR may include the following:

• hoarseness
• feeling of a lump in the throat
• chronic cough or cough that wakes you from your sleep
• choking episodes

• Eat smaller meals more frequently and take your time chewing.
• Avoid overeating.
• Increase physical activity if overweight.
• Increase fiber in your diet.
• Increase fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Stay upright for at least one hour after meals.
• Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
• Avoid trigger foods like high-fat and high-sugar items, alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate.
• Maintain a healthy weight.

What Is Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes harm to the lining of the small intestine once foods containing gluten are consumed. Gluten is a type of protein thats found in several grains. Once protein damages the intestinal lining, its tough for the body to absorb nutrients. Besides abdominal pain and bloating, celiac disease sufferers might experience symptoms such as severe skin rash, iron deficiency, diarrhea, weight loss, seizures, muscle cramps, joint pain, and mouth ulcers.

Blood tests are able to detect the presence of certain antibodies in individuals with celiac disease, as well as low iron levels. Your doctor may collect a stool sample to search for fat within the stool, since celiac sufferers absorb fats from food less effectively. Or, he/she may prefer to take a biopsy of the intestine to examine the for tissue harm. Once the patient switches to a gluten-free diet, full restoration of the intestinal lining is possible.

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Acid Reflux Bad Breath

GERD bad breath is an unpleasant manifestation of chronic heartburn. When stomach acid ends up in the mouth cavity, it can erode hard tissues and tooth enamel. This creates cavities that trap food where bacteria can feed and multiply.

Often, your dentist can tell whether bad breath is caused by acid reflux or because of poor dental hygiene and smoking that also cause dysbiosis of the oral microbiome. GERD patients tend to have teeth erosion, redness around the tonsils, tongue and gum irritation, and sour breath.

TIPProper dental hygiene and over-the-counter medications can usually alleviate bad breath in a week or so.

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What Causes Stomach Pain

Sometimes it can be exceedingly difficult to try to pinpoint the cause of stomach pain. There are many organs that reside within the abdomen, such as the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, large and small intestine, appendix (which is part of the large intestine, kidneys, spleen, and the stomach itself. There is also a chance that there is a parasitical, bacterial, or viral infection that may be affecting the stomach or surrounding areas. There is a long list of maybes when it comes to the causes of abdominal pain, however, the most common reasons for stomach pain include:

• Infection. Its not uncommon for an infection that is in your throat to extend to the digestive tract. You may also see changes in bowel habits from infection, such as sudden constipation or diarrhea.
• Menstrual cramps. Cramps from your period can cause stomach pain. While its more common to feel pain in the pelvic region, it can certainly radiate to the stomach as well.
• Stomach flu. Also known as gastroenteritis, the stomach flu can wreak havoc on your abdomen.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Acid reflux happens when the contents of the stomach leak into the esophagus, causing heartburn and associated other symptoms, such as coughing or vomiting.
• Vomiting. If youre sick from food, the stomach flu, or other reason, vomiting can make the stomach muscles extremely sore. This usually passes in a day or two.
• Stress. Stress takes a toll on every portion of your body but particularly your stomach.

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How To Avoid Gerd Symptoms

You can reduce or eliminate the discomfort of GERD symptoms by taking a few simple steps. These include:

• Avoiding fast food
• Exercising regularly with an empty stomach
• Avoiding stress

If you notice that your GERD symptoms are interfering with your daily life or drastically restricting what you can eat, consider talking with your doctor about treatment options, says Dr. Purcell.

If you need further treatment, your doctor can help you find a treatment that works best for you and will help you find relief from GERD.

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How Does Carbonated Water Cause Stomach Problems

General stomach discomfort is among the most minor side effects, but it may not seem so minor if you experience these issues. The fizzing bubbles found in carbonated beverages are gas. If you drink these bubbles, they become trapped within your stomach.

When this occurs, your stomach will develop bloating and more gas. If the gas is not immediately relieved, you can develop abdominal pain. Even if you like the taste of sparkling water, you surely do not want to cope with cramps after drinking it. In addition, the bloating can make your clothing feel too tight.

From jeans that zip to elastic waistbands, it can mean even more discomfort. It should be easy to decide that none of these problems are worth it, and choose a non-carbonated water instead.

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Whats causing my indigestion?
• What are some foods I should avoid to help with my indigestion?
• How much time do I need to leave been my final meal of the day and bedtime?
• Does sleeping on an elevated pillow help indigestion?
• What medicines will help my indigestion? Do they have side effects?
• Are there any medicines I should avoid that may make my indigestion worse?
• What should I do when nothing seems to help my indigestion?

Reducing The Causes Of Low Stomach Acid And Bacterial Overgrowth

H.pylori. is a common bacterial overgrowth that can suppress the production of stomach acid. Unfortunately, this creates a vicious were both low stomach acid and bacterial overgrowth exacerbating each other into a downward spiral of digestive dysfunction.

Although more testing needs to be done a low-carb diet has in two studies proved very effective at not only reducing the symptoms of GERD but in some cases eliminated them completely.

It isnt necessary to stay on a low-carb diet permanently. As soon as the symptoms disappear and normal digestive function returns a low to medium low-carb diet should be enough to prevent the symptoms coming back.

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Heartburn Or Heart Attack

A heart attack is when the arteries connected to the heart become blocked. Heartburn, on the other hand, occurs when stomach acid travels back up the esophagus.

Some symptoms of heartburn and a heart attack could be similar, such as chest pain. As a result, some people who are having a heart attack do not take action as they think they have heartburn.

If a person experiences heartburn pain alongside shortness of breath or sweating, this could be a heart-related issue.

Other symptoms of a heart attack

Risk Factors In Women

Women are particularly susceptible to urinary tract infections because their urethra is shorter, meaning the infection can spread throughout the urinary tract more easily. Additionally, the anal and urinary openings of a woman are in closer proximity, increasing the risk of bacteria spreading between the two.

In addition to the above, women are also susceptible to the following risk factors for UTIs:

• Sexual intercourse can contribute to the spread of genital or anal bacteria, especially with a new sexual partner when the rate of sexual activity is typically higher. However, UTIs are not a sexually transmitted disease
• Spermicides and birth control methods which use spermicides can affect the natural balance of healthy bacteria within the vagina
• Antibiotics can also alter the natural bacterial balance within the vagina
• Diaphragms can place pressure on a womanââ¬â¢s urethra, resulting in the possibility of the bladder not emptying properly
• Pregnancy. As the uterus grows in pregnancy, it can put added weight on the bladder, leading to the possibility of the bladder not emptying properly
• Menopause can cause hormonal changes which affect the vaginaââ¬â¢s natural bacterial balance

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How Is Gerd Diagnosed

Usually your provider can tell if you have simple acid reflux by talking with you about your symptoms and medical history. You and your provider can talk about controlling your symptoms through diet and medications.

If these strategies dont help, your provider may ask you to get tested for GERD. Tests for GERD include:

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