Myths abound about all sorts of health conditions and heartburn is no different. Here we look at eight common myths about heartburn and the truth that lies behind them.

1. Heartburn is caused by the person who suffers from it.

Not exactly. Heartburn is believed to be a medical problem that has some biological causes linked to it. There are healthy lifestyle changes that can be made such as avoiding foods and drinks that worsen symptoms however even with positive changes, some individuals still suffer from the condition, whether they want to or not. There is not a lot of choice involved.

2. Heartburn will be gotten rid of with the daily consumption of a bland diet.

There are most definitely foods that are bad for heartburn sufferers and a bland diet is a good way of helping to prevent episodes however this one change alone will not cure heartburn that develops as a result of GERD.

3. Too much stomach acid causes heartburn and that is it.

Most people who suffer from heartburn have the same quantity of acid in their stomach as non-sufferers. In heartburn sufferers the acid does not remain where it should and instead it moves from the stomach and into the esophagus where it wrecks havoc.

4. Acid reflux causes problems to take place in the esophagus and doesn’t upset anything else.

The esophagus is the most targeted area for acid reflux although recent studies have shown that individuals with asthma can develop heartburn or the one condition can cause the other to get worse over time. Many asthma sufferers who also suffer from heartburn find that their asthma medication can make their episodes of heartburn worse.

5. Stress causes heartburn.

Stress can make heartburn worse but it is seldom a cause of it. However severe stress of a physical kind can sometimes lead to ulcers that bring heartburn along with them.

6. There is no help whatsoever for heartburn.

False. There are ways you can help prevent heartburn episodes or alleviate the symptoms all together. These suggestions include by way of lifestyle and dietary modifications, taking over the counter medications such as antacids, and prescription medications.

7. As a heartburn sufferer my heartburn is worse when I eat or drink acidic foods or beverages.

Acidic foods can play a role in making a heartburn sufferer feel even worse but it is not specifically because of the acid in the product. For example, orange juice can cause as many problems as nonacidic orange juice.

8. If you suffer heartburn at night, don’t go to bed but sleep sitting up in a chair.

In order to prevent heartburn at night stop eating two to three hours before you retire for the night. As well sleep on your left side as sleeping on your right side will cause the acid in your esophagus to take a longer period of time to clear out. Sleeping on your back is not advisable either as this makes the passage of acid back into your esophagus so much easier. The best bet is to sleep with your head elevated over your stomach to keep acid in your stomach where it belongs.

Tags: heartburn, acid reflux, myths about heartburn