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
What is the difference between heartburn and acid reflux?Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. Heartburn describes a feeling of burning, pain, or discomfort in the chest that can be quite uncomfortable. You also may a sour or bitter taste in the throat and mouth, and it usually occurs after you eat a big meal or when you lay down. Not everyone with GERD will experience heartburn. Other symptoms of acid reflux include regurgitation of acid into the throat or mouth, a bitter taste in the mouth, upset stomach, belching, nausea after eating, feeling full, stomach and upper abdomen bloating, dry cough, wheezing, hoarseness, feeling of tightness in the throat, and in some people, vomiting. Differences between symptoms of heartburn vs. acid refluxHeartburn, a symptom of acid reflux, and feels like a burning pain or discomfort in the chest, around the area of the heart. Acid reflux may include heartburn symptoms. Other common symptoms of acid reflux include:
Acid reflux (GERD) and heartburn may cause chest pain, when after eating or when lying down. See your doctor if you have any chest pain that is not diagnosed because chest pain may be a sign of a heart attack or another serious heart condition. If you have been diagnosed as having acid reflux by your doctor or other health care professional, and your symptoms change suddenly or worsen acutely, seek medical care right away to make sure this chest pain is not associated with a heart attack or other serious medical conditions. What causes heartburn vs. acid reflux?Common causes of acid reflux (and therefore heartburn) include:
Foods that aggravate heartburn and acid refluxFoods that may cause or aggravate acid reflux and heartburn include:
How can my doctor tell if I have heartburn or acid reflux?A medical doctor can often diagnose GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and heartburn by your description of the symptoms your experience. You may see a gastroenterologist, a medical specialist in disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, who may order an upper GI series. This is a series of X-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the intestine often used to rule out other health conditions. An upper GI endoscopy, where a flexible probe with a tiny camera at the end is passed down your throat to see the esophagus. This helps diagnose how severe your acid reflux is, and can also rule out other health complications. If your symptoms are not clearly from acid reflux, your doctor may perform other tests to rule out important conditions like heart attack, ulcers, lung problems, esophagus problems, and gastritis. What Does Heartburn Feel Like?Heartburn feels like a burning pain in your chest, that may be very bothersome or painful. You also may have a bitter or sour taste in your throat or mouth. Heartburn actually is a symptom of acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Talk with your doctor or other health care professional if your concerned about heartburn. How are heartburn and acid reflux treated?In some cases, reflux and heartburn symptoms you experience may be relieved with diet and lifestyle changes such as:
If diet and lifestyle changes and OTC medications don’t make a difference in relieving your condition, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat your reflux and heartburn such as:
Is there a cure for heartburn or acid reflux?Most of the time, diet and lifestyle changes can help relieve or cure symptoms of acid reflux (GERD) and heartburn. In some cases over-the-counter or prescription drugs may be needed. In rare cases, a last resort to cure acid reflux is a surgery called fundoplication. During this surgery, a surgeon wraps part of the stomach around the esophagus like a collar, which works to increase pressure in the lower esophagus to keep acid from backing up.  QUESTIONGERD is the back up of stomach acid into the esophagus. See AnswerMedically Reviewed on 9/28/2021 References American Academy of
Family Physicians. "Heartburn." March 2014. NIH; The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health Information Center. "Definition & Facts for GER & GERD." November 2014. <http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/ger-and-gerd-in-adults/Pages/definition-facts.aspx> The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. August 2016. 5 July
2017 Is heartburn the same as indigestion?Indigestion is a painful or burning feeling in your upper belly or abdomen. It is not the same thing as heartburn. Indigestion may be caused by health problems such as ulcers or lifestyle and eating habits. You should not have foods or medicines that cause indigestion.
How do you know if it's indigestion?Symptoms of indigestion
The main symptom of indigestion is pain or a feeling of discomfort in your upper abdomen (dyspepsia). People often experience the associated feeling of burning behind the breastbone (heartburn), but this may occur on its own.
What acid indigestion feels like?Heartburn is discomfort or actual pain caused by digestive acid moving into the tube that carries swallowed food to your stomach (esophagus). Typical features of heartburn include: A burning sensation in the chest that may also involve the upper abdomen. Usually occurs after eating or while lying down or bending over.
Where do you feel heartburn and indigestion?Overview. Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over.
|
Whats the difference between indigestion and heartburn
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 pauex Inc.
