How Do Acid Reflux and Heartburn Differ From One Another?

Many people use the terms acid reflux and heartburn interchangeably to describe the unpleasant, burning sensation in their throat and chest and the bitter taste of reflux they experience after eating or drinking. Little do they realize that the two conditions are not the same. Although there is some overlap between symptoms, there are distinct differences between the two digestive disorders.

If you’re experiencing symptoms and unsure what to do, check out this brief overview of how acidic reflux and heartburn differ.

What Is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when the contents of your stomach leak and travel up into your throat, esophagus, and mouth. The contents of your stomach are highly acidic and corrosive. When they come in contact with the sensitive tissues outside your stomach into your esophagus and throat, they cause irritation, inflammation, and in some cases, pain. Long-term and repeated exposure to these gastric juices can also cause you to feel nauseous, sick, or vomit. Severe cases are associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

What Is Heartburn?

Heartburn is the term used to describe the sensations acid reflux normally causes. Heartburn symptoms include a burning, painful feeling in the chest that can spread to the neck, mouth, and ears. Symptoms are usually triggered by large meals, certain foods and beverages, and medical conditions like pregnancy and obesity. Many people experience worsening symptoms at night, when lying down or bending, and after eating shortly before bedtime. Acid reflux doesn’t always cause symptoms or significant discomfort in those afflicted.

What Is GERD?

As previously mentioned, gastroesophageal reflux disease is commonly referred to as GERD. It is an advanced type of acid reflux that is much more serious. Although both conditions cause heartburn and reflux, GERD activity often means there’s a dysfunction in the esophagus.

Normally, the valve-like seal in the lower esophagus or LES opens and closes tightly, creating a seal to keep the digestive fluids inside the stomach. When this valve becomes damaged, usually by excess reflux activity due to dietary, lifestyle, and health considerations or injury, it becomes weaker and dysfunctional.

Difference between Heartburn and Acid Reflux

Many are unaware that gastroesophageal reflux disease is an actual condition, whereas acid reflux is a disorder that starts as a symptom. Acid reflux becomes a disease (GERD) when it occurs frequently enough to cause severe symptoms that lead to extreme distress, discomfort, and health complications. The diagnostic criteria for GERD include acid reflux symptoms to occur two or more times a week. Symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, dry cough, shortness of breath, or trouble swallowing.

If you’ve been dealing with occasional episodes of acid reflux, you may not need treatment. However, if your symptoms become more frequent or you are worried about the long-term effects of acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD, it’s time for you to see a specialist for treatment to prevent additional damage to esophageal and oral tissues.

What to Do If You Have Acid Reflux or Heartburn?

Acid reflux happens when the LES is too relaxed or dysfunctional to prevent the stomach contents from leaking. As the corrosive fluid travels up into the esophagus, it causes symptoms, most notably heartburn and indigestion. In some cases, acid reflux causes regurgitation.

Medical attention is necessary for those who experience pain when swallowing, persistent coughing, heartburn, worsening asthma or upper respiratory ailments, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, or bleeding. Without treatment, acid reflux can turn into GERD. Also, patients risk developing a narrower esophagus that can make it difficult to eat, drink and swallow comfortably, voice hoarseness, Barrett’s esophagus, or cancer.

Treatment options for those living with acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD prevent these complications and additional health risks.

Acid Reflux and Heartburn Treatment

Preliminary treatment measures require patients to make lifestyle and dietary changes to decrease reflux or disease activity. Many patients with mild symptoms manage their condition by avoiding foods and activities that trigger them.

The most common culprits are chocolate, citrusy, spicy, rich, fatty, fried foods, coffee, soda and energy drinks, and alcohol. These foods are hard for many to resist. If you’re one of them, complete cessation may not be necessary, moderation is key.

Other changes that are beneficial for acid reflux and heartburn symptoms include:

• Consume smaller meal portions
• Refrain from eating or drinking two to three hours before going to bed
• Avoid wearing tight clothing
• Refrain from nicotine, recreational drugs, and smoking
• Elevating the head when lying down
• Lose weight

As beneficial and practical as lifestyle modifications are for digestive conditions, they don’t always work without medicine. Some acid reflux and heartburn patients have more success with antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medications modulate stomach acid activity to decrease the frequency and severity of symptoms. Sometimes, surgical intervention is necessary.

Anti-Reflux Surgery

Formally referred to as fundoplication, the surgery is often reserved for patients with severe or persistent symptoms who experience little to no heartburn or reflux relief after changing their diet, living behaviors, and taking medication. Anti-reflux surgery is also ideal for those who want to avoid the dangers of prolonged use of PPIs, H2 blockers, and antacids.

Laparoscopic acid reflux surgery is the standard in advanced heartburn and GERD treatment. The procedure tightens and repairs the LES to eliminate acid reflux and heart symptoms. Not only is anti-reflux surgery safe and highly effective. Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication also has a significantly shorter recovery time for patients than conventional procedures.

If you take antacids and remedies for relief yet experience worsening or more frequent heartburn or reflux, it’s time to pick up the phone.

Call Orange County Robotic General Surgery at (714) 541-4996 to schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms with Dr. Abtin Khosravi, MD, FACS, to and learn suitable reflux, heartburn, or GERD treatments for your circumstances.