If she does have an ulcer, she needs to stay away
from acidic foods when it flares. This will make it burn worse, some people have the same reaction to spicy foods. If she is under a lot of stress, it will cause an ulcer to flare. I have one and have the same feeling of intense heartburn, and if it gets really bad, I do feel nauseas. Drinking milk usually helps, because it coats the lining of your stomach so that the burning calms down.