Heartburn, Acid Reflux & GERD - What is the Difference?
What is Heartburn?
Let’s start with one of the most common symptoms of gastric conditions – heartburn. Heartburn is not a disease in itself; it’s a symptom of acid reflux and indigestion. Heartburn is the uncomfortable burning sensation you feel when stomach acid leaks up (refluxes) into your esophagus and throat.
What Causes Heartburn?
Heartburn is not always due to a serious condition like GERD. Acid reflux and the resulting heartburn can occur as one-off instances, provoked by eating fatty foods, taking certain medications, or drinking alcohol. If heartburn and acid reflux happen often, it may be because of GERD.
Treating Heartburn
You can treat occasional heartburn by using antacids. They can come in liquid or tablet form. Antacids neutralize stomach acid in your esophagus to treat the pain of heartburn, but they don’t help prevent acid reflux from occurring.
If you suffer from heartburn 2 or more days a week, it’s considered that you have frequent heartburn, which is best treated with lifestyle changes and stronger medications like PPIs.
What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is when gastric acid escapes through the valve (known as the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) that connects your stomach to your esophagus.
What Causes Acid Reflux?
Normally, the LES should open only to allow food to pass through, but sometimes it doesn’t close properly or opens when it shouldn’t. The discomfort or painful feeling you get when stomach acid refluxes and irritates your esophagus is heartburn.
Some acid reflux triggers include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Eating fatty, spicy, or acidic foods
- Drinking carbonated beverages
- Being overweight
- Eating too much during one meal
- Lying down after eating
Sometimes, reoccurring acid reflux isn’t to do with your lifestyle but happens because you have a weakened LES. This may cause your condition to be classified as GERD.
Treating Acid Reflux
The best medication for acid reflux and heartburn that happens frequently (at least 2 or more days a week) is a PPI. Proton pump inhibitors reduces the amount of acid produced in your stomach, helping to prevent acid reflux at its source.
Nexium 24HR is a type of PPI called esomeprazole for people with frequent heartburn. Take our quiz to find out whether Nexium 24HR will benefit you or speak to your pharmacist – it is available over the counter.
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is caused when acid reflux happens so often that your esophagus becomes inflamed (esophagitis). This is usually due to a weakened LES, or one that relaxes when it’s not meant to, allowing the frequent leakage of stomach acid up the esophagus.
What Causes GERD?
GERD triggers and risk factors include:
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Hiatal hernia – when part of the stomach bulges into the diaphragm
Treating GERD
People with GERD should work with their doctor to devise a plan to help stop acid reflux, including diet and lifestyle changes as well as medications.
It is recommended that patients stop or cut down on smoking cigarettes, lose weight if they are overweight, and avoid trigger foods that aggravate acid reflux to help treat GERD.
Heartburn vs Acid Reflux vs GERD
Essentially, these terms all stem from the action of acid reflux. Heartburn is a symptom and a sign that you have acid reflux; GERD is the resulting condition from too much acid reflux.
If you’re concerned about frequent heartburn and acid reflux, speak to your doctor who can advise you on how to manage and reduce it.
