You feel something rising in your throat. It burns and tastes acidic. Now you feel it behind your breastbone. Show Is it heartburn? Is it GERD? Is it acid reflux? Are they all the same? We've compiled a simple overview to help you navigate this often tricky area of digestive conditions. Acid reflux: The causeAcid reflux is when the contents of your stomach—like food or acids—go in the wrong direction. They travel from your stomach back to your throat through the tube connecting them, your esophagus. When you have acid reflux, you may taste food or stomach acid in the back of your mouth. This can be uncomfortable and make you feel sick. Acid reflux is also referred to as GER (gastroesophageal reflux). Heartburn: The symptomAcid reflux causes heartburn, which is a burning feeling behind your breastbone, in your neck, or in your throat. This feeling is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over. Being pregnant or overweight can make heartburn more likely. GERD: The more serious causeGERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Like its name suggests, GERD is a more serious version of acid reflux. They can both cause heartburn. Often people who experience heartburn more than twice a week have GERD. GERD happens when the closure in your lower esophagus—which is near your stomach—becomes weak or relaxes when it should not. Symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, dry cough, shortness of breath, or trouble swallowing. Treating GERD may require prescription medications. Occasionally, surgery or other procedures may be necessary. If you suspect you have GERD, make sure to see your provider or a gastroenterologist, a doctor who focuses on the digestive system. This can help prevent future damage to your esophagus, or cancer. Sources: MedlinePlus; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Image credit: Adobe Stock January 24, 2020 We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. In April 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that all forms of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine (Zantac) be removed from the U.S. market. They made this recommendation because unacceptable levels of NDMA, a probable carcinogen (or cancer-causing chemical), were present in some ranitidine products. People taking prescription ranitidine should talk with their doctor about safe alternative options before stopping the drug. People taking OTC ranitidine should stop taking the drug and talk with their healthcare provider about alternative options. Instead of taking unused ranitidine products to a drug take-back site, a person should dispose of them according to the product’s instructions or by following the FDA’s guidance. Understanding the differences between heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease involves understanding the links between them. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, heartburn is a common digestive complaint in the United States, affecting more than 60 million Americans each month. Heartburn is not a condition on its own, and it has nothing to do with the heart. Instead, it is a symptom of acid reflux. If symptoms of acid reflux occur frequently, it can indicate that a person has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Distinguishing between heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD may be hard, because they may all feel the same in the moment. However, understanding the differences can help a person find the right treatment. The following symptoms can help a person to tell the difference between acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD: Symptoms of acid reflux
Acid reflux is sometimes called gastroesophageal reflux or GER. It occurs when stomach acid travels up the food pipe to the mouth. This can happen when the muscle at the bottom of the food pipe, which acts as a gateway to the stomach, becomes weak or loose. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest or abdomen, and it has nothing to do with the heart. People often feel heartburn behind the breastbone and after eating. It can get worse when sitting or lying down. Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux, though it does not appear in every case. Acid reflux also causes the following symptoms:
Symptoms of GERD GERD is the term for chronic acid reflux. The symptoms are the same, but they happen more frequently with GERD. If a person experiences symptoms of acid reflux more than twice a week for a few weeks, they may have GERD. The disease affects about 20 percent of the U.S. population. The stomach is built to withstand acid. The food pipe is not, and when acid rises into it, a person experiences burning pain. The muscle at the end of the food pipe is called the lower esophageal sphincter. It can weaken or relax, and potentially cause acid reflux, for several reasons. For example, high amounts of pressure on the abdomen can cause the sphincter to grow slack. For this reason, acid reflux is common in people who are overweight, obese, or pregnant. Other causes of acid reflux involve:
Various medications can also trigger acid reflux, including:
Chest pain and related symptoms are among the top reasons for visits to emergency departments in the U.S. Acid reflux is a common cause of chest pain, and it can be easy to confuse this pain with that of a heart attack. Because heartburn can spread to the neck, throat, and jaw, it may feel like the radiating chest pain of a heart attack. There are a few ways to tell the difference between heartburn and a heart attack. If the pain improves after a quick antacid or a belch, or if there is a sour taste in the mouth, a person most likely has heartburn. A person having a heart attack often experiences a feeling of squeezing or pressure and shortness of breath. Due to the seriousness of a heart attack, The American Heart Association recommend that anyone who believes they may be having a heart attack should seek medical care as soon as possible. This includes people who are unsure whether their chest pain results from a heart. A doctor is a good place to start for an acid reflux or GERD diagnosis. Assessments typically begin with a few questions and a review of the person’s medical history. The doctor may suggest changes to the diet or medications because these can influence symptoms. If the symptoms persist, especially any related to swallowing, the doctor may work with a gastroenterologist, surgeon, or another healthcare professional to confirm a diagnosis. Tests that can help diagnose GERD include:
If a person does not receive treatment for GERD, it can lead to more severe complications, including:
Acid reflux and GERD are treatable with medications, lifestyle changes, or both. Some medications for acid reflux include:
People with acid reflux or GERD can manage symptoms by taking steps to avoid triggers.
Weight loss can also help to reduce symptoms, as it decreases pressure on the food pipe. People should also try not to eat late at night or lie down soon after eating. In serious cases of GERD, surgery may help to strengthen the muscles in the gut. Children and pregnancyChildren, adolescents, and pregnant women often experience acid reflux. Heartburn may occur with 17 to 45 percent of pregnancies. Fortunately, over-the-counter heartburn and acid reflux treatments tend to be safe to use during pregnancy. About 10 percent of teenagers and pre-teens experience GERD, according to the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for children with GERD are similar to those for adults. Check with a pediatrician to learn more. If acid reflux occurs on a regular basis, use an antacid, and try different brands if the first is ineffective. Also, try making lifestyle changes, such as eliminating certain foods or drinks from the diet. If the acid reflux still recurs after making these changes, it may be time to call the doctor. Although chest pain is often a symptom of acid reflux or GERD, do not hesitate to visit the doctor or the emergency room if it seems more serious. Sometimes GERD symptoms warrant urgent attention. A person experiencing any of the following should seek immediate medical care:
The relationship between heartburn and acid reflux is that of a symptom and its cause. Heartburn is a painful, common problem that can affect a person’s quality of life. To eliminate it, a person needs to treat the underlying cause, which is acid reflux. Manage symptoms of acid reflux by avoiding the many potential triggers. If acid reflux goes unchecked or untreated, it may develop into GERD. Is heartburn or acid reflux worse?They actually have very different meanings. Acid reflux is a common medical condition that can range in severity from mild to serious. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the chronic, more severe form of acid reflux. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux and GERD.
What acid reflux feels like?It's a painful burning sensation in the middle of your chest caused by irritation to the lining of the esophagus caused by stomach acid. This burning can come on anytime but is often worse after eating. For many people heartburn worsens when they recline or lie in bed, which makes it hard to get a good night's sleep.
How do you know if your acid reflux is serious?If you experience severe chest pain or pressure, especially in combination with pain in the jaw, neck, or back, nausea and vomiting, or difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately.
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