5. Heartburn and Acid Reflux: The Fiery Discomfort
Heartburn is often mistaken for mere indigestion, but for those with gastric ulcers, it becomes a recurring ordeal. Women describe it as a burning sensation, originating from the stomach and surging up to the throat. It feels as if a fire rages within, scorching its path.
This isn’t just a one-off occurrence after a particularly spicy meal. For ulcer patients, heartburn becomes a constant companion, flaring up without any obvious triggers. Meals become a source of dread, as the burning sensation seems to kick in, irrespective of the food consumed.
Acid reflux complements heartburn. It’s when the stomach acid, instead of staying where it belongs, decides to travel up the esophagus. This backward flow is what intensifies the burning sensation.
But why does this happen with ulcers? The ulcerated site, being raw and inflamed, reacts more severely to the stomach’s natural acids. This increased sensitivity results in heightened pain and the reflux phenomenon.(5)
