Almost everyone experiences occasional heartburn. Some people struggle with it constantly. Knowing the difference between GERD vs acid reflux can help you decide if you need to seek care and treatment from a doctor.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re experiencing GERD vs acid reflux.
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, the tube that carries food between the mouth and the stomach.
Your stomach is designed to handle the highly acidic contents that help digest food.
Your esophagus is not.
If the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a valve at the bottom of the esophagus, fails to close properly after food enters the stomach, some of that acidic mixture can escape back into the esophagus.
If you’ve ever felt a nagging, burning sensation in your chest after eating, you’ve likely experienced acid reflux. Another name for acid reflux is heartburn.
Heartburn can last for minutes or hours and travel into the throat. This discomfort often worsens after eating or lying down, causing symptoms like:
Ways to ease occasional acid reflux symptoms include:
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a chronic and more serious form of acid reflux.
While heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of GERD, it’s not the only one.
GERD is diagnosed when acid reflux occurs more than twice a week, fails to respond to over-the-counter treatments, or when it causes damage to the esophagus.
Because the symptoms of acid reflux and GERD are so similar, it can be challenging to tell them apart. Both conditions involve a burning sensation in the chest, but acid reflux is typically only occasional, whereas GERD is a chronic condition with the potential for more serious problems.
In addition to uncomfortable symptoms, chronic GERD can damage the lining of the esophagus over time, leading to complications such as:
Chronic acid reflux can cause the normal lining of the esophagus to change to a type of tissue similar to the lining of the intestines.
The main concern with Barrett’s esophagus is that it increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer, specifically a type called esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus are often similar to those of GERD, including:
In some cases, people with Barrett’s esophagus may not experience any symptoms, making regular check-ups with a gastrointestinal specialist important for those with long-term GERD.
GERD treatments are similar to those for acid reflux but often more strict.
If you experience heartburn frequently, monitoring your symptoms and seeing a doctor can help prevent complications and avoid long-term damage to your digestive tract. Rather than trying to decide if you have GERD vs acid reflux, the best thing you can do is talk to a doctor about your symptoms. They can help you ensure an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Stop struggling with chronic heartburn – schedule an appointment today!
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