Acid reflux and heartburn are two common digestive problems that are often confused with each other. While they are related, they are not the same thing.
What is Acid Reflux? Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. This can cause a number of symptoms, including heartburn, sour taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness.
What is Heartburn? Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that is caused by acid reflux. It is the most common symptom of acid reflux, but not everyone with acid reflux experiences heartburn.
What Causes Acid Reflux? Acid reflux is caused by a malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. The LES normally keeps stomach acid from flowing back up into the esophagus. However, if the LES is weakened or relaxes at the wrong time, stomach acid can flow back up.
What are the Risk Factors for Acid Reflux? There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing acid reflux, including:
- Obesity
- Hiatal hernia
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Certain medications
- Eating large meals
- Eating late at night
- Lying down after eating
How is Acid Reflux Treated? There are a number of things you can do to manage acid reflux, including:
- Lifestyle changes: This includes losing weight, avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals, and not eating late at night.
- Over-the-counter medications: These include antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.
- Prescription medications: These are typically only used for severe cases of acid reflux.
- Surgery: This is a rare option that is typically only considered for people who do not respond to other treatments.
How to Prevent Heartburn There are a number of things you can do to prevent heartburn, including:
- Avoiding trigger foods: This includes fatty foods, spicy foods, acidic foods, and chocolate.
- Eating smaller meals
- Not eating late at night
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding tight-fitting clothes
- Raising the head of your bed
- Taking over-the-counter antacids
When to See a Doctor If you experience heartburn more than twice a week, or if your heartburn is severe, it is important to see a doctor. They can rule out any underlying medical conditions and recommend the best treatment for you.
Acid Reflux vs. Heartburn: Key Differences The main difference between acid reflux and heartburn is that acid reflux is a medical condition, while heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. Not everyone with acid reflux experiences heartburn, and there are other conditions that can cause heartburn, such as angina.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between acid reflux and heartburn:
| Feature | Acid Reflux | Heartburn |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A medical condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus | A burning sensation in the chest caused by acid reflux |
| Symptoms | Heartburn, sour taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness | Burning sensation in the chest |
| Causes | Malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) | Acid reflux |
| Risk factors | Obesity, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, smoking, certain medications, eating large meals, eating late at night, lying down after eating | Same as acid reflux |
| Treatment | Lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, surgery | Lifestyle changes, over-the-counter antacids |