Stomach Ulcer Symptoms or Just Heartburn?

Stomach Ulcer Symptoms

Ulcers typically occur in the duodenum, which is found just past the pyloric sphincter. A minority of ulcer cases occur in the stomach itself.

Stomach ulcers symptoms and heartburn symptoms are very similar, causing many people to confuse these two conditions. In this article, we will be revealing to DCDDISCs readers some simple methods for telling these two conditions apart.


Stomach Ulcer Symptoms vs Heartburn

The primary reason for the confusion between stomach ulcer symptoms and heartburn symptoms is due to the fact that both can result in burning stomach pain. However, there are some simple ways to tell these two conditions apart.

Here is a list:

  • Stomach ulcer symptoms are worse an empty stomach and typically get better after eating. Heartburn symptoms on the other hand typically peak after eating (or within an hour or two of eating).

The end result is that people who have stomach ulcer symptoms may find themselves getting woken up in the middle of the night or early in the morning with burning stomach pain.


  • Peptic ulcer symptoms typically center on burning stomach pain, whereas heartburn centers on burning chest pain.



If you experience a surge in symptoms if you bend forward or lie down, odds are you are dealing with heartburn. Stomach ulcer symptoms typically not easily manipulated simply by changing body position.

  • Stomach ulcer symptoms do not respond to heartburn remedies, whereas heartburn remedies can be used to significantly reduce heartburn symptoms.

A lot of heartburn remedies, such as chewing gum, can reduce heartburn symptoms. This remedy aids digestion by producing saliva and encouraging the digestion of food. Many people suffering from heartburn will experience immediate relief from symptoms as soon as they start chewing on a piece of gum.

On the other hand, ulcer symptoms are not easily remedied except via eating food or usage of a stomach-coating agent such as pepto-bismol. Those who suffer from stomach ulcer symptoms are not likely to get relief unless they are able to do something to reduce the severity of their ulcer.

  • Both serious ulcers and heartburn may result in chronic symptoms.

The most important thing to know about both stomach ulcer symptoms and heartburn is that both conditions warrant doctor attention should they become chronic.

Ulcers rarely go away on their own and typically need antibiotic treatment. Heartburn on the other hand, if it occurs over time, may actually be gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD for short.

If both conditions are left untreated, serious complications may result. Due to this, if you experience either stomach ulcer symptoms or heartburn symptoms on a regular basis you will want to talk to your doctor to see if you need treatment.

Are There Any Effective Heartburn Remedies?

Heartburn Remedies

Juicy Fruit is a surprisingly effective heartburn remedy. Lightly-flavored non-mint gums work best to relieve heartburn symptoms.

If you have to deal with heartburn regularly, no doubt you have wondered if it was possible to get relief from heartburn via home remedies. There are hundreds of heartburn remedies all reported to provide relief anecdotally, but how does the evidence stack up?

We found one site in particular, Heartburn Remedies, which hands-down offers the best exploration of the validity and possible mechanisms behind some popular heartburn remedies. The two remedies that they recommend are chewing gum and vinegar.

The evidence behind the use of chewing gum seems to be extremely convincing. There are a few proposed mechanisms through which it can contribute. Firstly, chewing gum produces saliva, which is then swallowed, which can then aid digestion in the stomach by helping to break down food. Indeed, researchers have found that those who chew their food appropriately are significantly less likely to experience heartburn than those who do not chew their food much as all.

However, saliva not only aids digestion but has other significant contributors to remedying heartburn. After a time of chewing gum, the saliva released appears to increase in pH, moving from a neutral liquid to a base. This base then coats the esophagus as it is swallowed, giving the esophagus a basic pH. This is an amazing protective mechanism.

If you are not familiar with the pH scale, allow us to explain. Neutral solutions have a pH of 7, and are in the middle of the pH chart. Acidic solutions have a pH less than 7, on a scale of 0-7. The lower the number, the more acidic the solution. Stomach acid has a pH in between 2 and 3, which is quite acidic. Acids are produced when a solution has a lot H+ (hydrogen ions), whereas bases are produced when a solution has a lot of OH- (hydroxide ions).

When acids and bases meet, they cancel each other out in a process called neutralization. H+ combines with OH- to form H20, also known as water. Since H+ and OH- have opposite charges, they cancel out as well, leaving us with a harmless solution of water.

Back to the example – when the OH- in our basic saliva comes in contact with the H+ ions in our stomach acid in the esophagus, they neutralize one another. This of course depends on relative content; you will need a lot of saliva to neutralize just a small amount of stomach acid. Fortunately, chewing gum produces large amounts of saliva and acid reflux is often caused by a very small amount of acid (often diluted by being mixed with the stomach’s contents). As a result, there is a lot of strong evidence that chewing gum is an effective heartburn remedy.

The only side-note is that peppermint and spearmint gums should not be used. Mint can stimulate the production of HCl (stomach acid) in a lot of individuals and should be avoided if you experience heartburn regularly.

The other heartburn remedy promoted by the site in question is vinegar. The idea is that taking a small amount of vinegar compels the salivary glands to produce massive amounts of saliva, even more than you might experience from chewing gum. The protective effects work in quite the same way and there is merit to this approach as well.

All in all, there are some effective home heartburn remedies, and you do not have to open up your wallet to get access to them – both of these items are already in most homes or can be obtained for 1$ or less.

SWTOR Guide Warning – Get Moving

Sitting at the computer for long periods of time is not good for digestion.

Did you know that physical activity and moving around are essential to good digestive health? This is really important due to a new game known as Star Wars The Old Republic. According to some of the strategies in this SWTOR Guide, it turns out players have to sit still in place sometimes for hours at a time. This is horrible for digestive motility and can lead to constipation and hemorrhoids.

The solution to this sort of problem is very easy – get up and walk around every once in awhile. However, changing posture can help too. While sitting hunched over like the man in the picture may not be good in the long term for your back, this can be good for moving things along in the colon.

What you can do is bend forward like this for about 10 minutes when drinking coffee in the morning or otherwise checking what you want in the morning on the internet. Then when you get up to head to the bathroom, your digestive system will be primed with good motility. This is a huge benefit for people who have had negative digestive effects from playing too many video games like SWTOR and need help reducing their symptoms. Another good solution is to always make sure you are drinking plenty of water. People who play computer games tend to get involved in long stretches of playing without taking in any liquids. This causes constipation and can be remedied as well by drinking more water.

A Digestive Tinnitus Cure

Choline, found in eggs and soy lecithin, has been shown to be beneficial in reducing tinnitus symptoms.

Tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears, has troubled many individuals throughout the country. However, it turns out one of the best remedies for tinnitus is actually dietary changes. In fact, many people have had more success diet than anything else that changes in diet are being hailed the best tinnitus cure. There are a variety of dietary changes that individuals and even researchers have shown can reduce tinnitus symptoms and even cure tinnitus.

The most effective things so far have been phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyl serine, and fish oil. These are all very rich sources of fatty acids that are used in the construction of cellular membranes. This makes communications between nerves more efficient and allows receptors to work more efficiently.

The theory is that tinnitus may be caused or amplified by misfiring nerve circuits or misreadings amongst those nerve circuits. By adding in these fatty acids to the diet, nerve function can improve and reduce the symptoms of tinnitus.

However, supplements are not only digestive aid for tinnitus. Following an anti-inflammatory, no-grain diet as we recommend may also improve tinnitus symptoms by reducing inflammation and improve blood profiles. Pulsatile tinnitus, a common variation of tinnitus, has a strong link with blood pressure. It is only natural that a no-grain diet rich in fruits, vegetables, omega 3 fatty acids and other anti-inflammatories and blood pressure savers could reduce the tinnitus. Try out these digestive tips today for your tinnitus!