Heartburn is a pain or a sensation of burning that is caused in the esophagus due to the excessive secretion of gastric acid. Many people think wrongly that the disease is associated with heart, but the fact is that the disease does not have any relation with the heart and it has got the name only because of the burning sensation or the pain caused in bone near the heart.

The valve that connects the esophagus and the stomach gets weakened with the onset of the acid reflux disease. This causes the hydrochloric acid to flow outside the stomach which results in the disorder called heartburn.

The most widely used treatment for the heartburn is the intake of antacids. The antacid reacts with the stomach acid and neutralizes it, which reduces the pain immediately but it is rarely a permanent cure. Sometimes a solution of sodium bicarbonate and water is consumed which also acts as an antacid. However it has some side effects as excess sodium intake is harmful for the health.

Controlled diet which has no spicy foods, coffee and by avoiding smoking and drinking liquor and by following a regular exercise program the acid reflux can be avoided which may eventually prevent the heartburn.

Though there are number of medical treatments available for the heartburn, one of the immediate home remedy is by sleeping in a sitting position or at least by keeping the head in a higher position than the lower body. The occurrence of the disease can be minimized by following a dietary control and by avoid wearing tight pants which makes the acid to flow back.

The ulcer that is caused along the inner line of the stomach which caused normally due to the break up of the tissues in the stomach is termed as the gastric ulcer. The stomach produces juices that aid in digestion process which contain hydrochloric acid.

When the secretion exceeds the requirement, the acid reacts with the inner lining of the stomach causing irritation and then infection. The secretion of the acid exceeds the requirement due to irregular eating habits and due to the intake of spicy foods.

However it may also be caused due to prolonged smoking, drinking and intake of foods which are hard to digest and even due to genetics. It causes bacteria to thrive in the acid region resulting increase in the level of urea and bacteria in the blood. Prolonged intake of anti inflammatory medicines like aspirin may also be a cause for the occurrence of the gastric ulcers. It may also be caused due to the continuous intake of coffee and lack of proper exercise program.

The symptoms of the gastric ulcers are pain in the abdomen, vomiting, pain during eating, sudden wait loss. It is generally common in the old than in the youngsters or in the middle age people. It is only a disorder and not a contagious disease. It can be easily prevented by following a balanced nutritional diet, avoiding spicy foods, coffee, smoking and drinking, following a regular exercise program, reducing the oil level in the food and by avoiding over eating or by eating lesser which increases the production of the acid in the stomach.