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It’s Taco Tuesday and you’re basking in the glow of your last fish taco when it hits — that burning sensation that rises from your stomach into the back of your throat. It’s not an unfamiliar sensation, but you’re tired of the pain ruining your favorite foods. So what gives? There’s a strong ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter where your esophagus connects to the stomach. This muscle helps keeps food and digestive juices in the stomach where they belong. If the sphincter muscle relaxes when it shouldn’t, stomach fluids leak back up the esophagus. Stomach acids are very irritating to throat tissue, creating that familiar burning feeling. Read More: Heartburn or Heart Attack? What Women Should Know The Difference Between Heartburn, Acid Reflux and GERDThough unpleasant, the occasional heartburn that can ruin your meals every now and then is common and usually not cause for concern. When it occurs more frequently, however, heartburn indicates a more serious issue, such as acid reflux disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). “Heartburn, acid reflux and GERD are related, but with some important differences,” says Dr. John Crisologo, FACG, a board-certified gastroenterologist at Beaufort Memorial Lowcountry Medical Group Specialty Care. “Acid reflux is what causes the burning feeling of heartburn. In most cases, heartburn is temporary and triggered by certain foods. Acid reflux disease causes chronic heartburn. GERD is a more severe, long-lasting form of acid reflux, and heartburn is just one of the symptoms.” Another key difference is that GERD does not get better on its own. Left untreated, GERD can cause a variety of complications including Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Read More: Pain in the Gut Options to Tame the FlamesThankfully, there are a number of effective treatments for heartburn, acid reflux disease and GERD. Lifestyle changes, such as managing weight, eating smaller portions, and avoiding triggers (usually spicy, greasy or acidic foods) can help prevent heartburn symptoms. Over-the-counter antacid medications also provide relief for occasional heartburn. If you have heartburn more than twice a week, or over-the-counter heartburn remedies no longer provide relief, it may be time to see a doctor. Prescription medications can help block the production of stomach acid and strengthen a weakened esophageal sphincter muscle, giving the esophagus a chance to heal. In the most severe cases, gastrointestinal surgery may be needed. Find a gastroenterologist who can help you decode stomach pain or ask your primary care provider for a referral. Q: Are heartburn and acid reflux the same thing? What about GERD?A: They are different but related. It starts with the esophagus. The esophagus is made up of predominantly smooth muscle. It extends from the throat down through the chest cavity and, when it gets past the abdomen, joins up with the stomach. When you swallow, the esophagus opens and then squeezes food down. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy At the very bottom of the esophagus, there is a valve that separates it from the stomach. That valve should normally be closed. When you swallow, it opens so that food can pass through, and then it closes again. Acid reflux is a disorder that occurs when that valve opens when it’s not supposed to, so stomach contents (acid, digestive juices, enzymes and/or food) can flow backward from the stomach into the esophagus and cause symptoms. Now, normal individuals can have up to an hour of reflux per day and not feel it. But if people have problematic reflux, it can cause heartburn, which is a burning that’s felt mid-chest, below the sternum, especially after meals or at night when you lie down. So heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. Acid reflux can also cause regurgitation. GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It’s a more severe form of acid reflux where the stomach contents flowing back up into the esophagus becomes problematic. It can also cause a cough or the feeling that there’s a lump in the back of your throat. GERD should be treated to avoid long-term problems. — Gastroenterologist Scott Gabbard, MD You feel something rising in your throat. It burns and tastes acidic. Now you feel it behind your breastbone. 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 Is indigestion the same as acid reflux and heartburn?Indigestion is often caused by acid from your stomach irritating your stomach lining or throat. This is called acid reflux. This can be caused or made worse by: certain food and drink – such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods.
How can you tell if you have 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 does indigestion or acid reflux feel like?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. May awaken you from sleep, especially if you have eaten within two hours of going to bed.
When should I worry about indigestion?Mild indigestion is usually nothing to worry about. Consult your doctor if discomfort persists for more than two weeks. Contact your doctor right away if pain is severe or accompanied by: Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite.
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What is the difference between indigestion and acid reflux
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