What is Acid Reflux? What is GERD? What is the difference between Acid Reflux and GERD?
Ranked #15,076 in Health, #169,572 overall
Acid Reflux, GERD
Why I am writing this lens?
I started out by investigating why I have abnormal hiccups, hiccups that last for hours rather than most peoples minutes. My investigations bought up the possibility that my hiccups were caused by acid reflux or GERD.
These were totally new words to me, I had no idea what either of these words meant. So I decided to write this lens to talk about what I found out about each condition, and the differences between acid reflux or GERD. I was surprised to find out that I had actually experienced acid reflux for many years, I just didn't know the technical medical term and once again I thought it was just one of those things everyone gets (maybe everyone does?).
I started out by investigating why I have abnormal hiccups, hiccups that last for hours rather than most peoples minutes. My investigations bought up the possibility that my hiccups were caused by acid reflux or GERD.
These were totally new words to me, I had no idea what either of these words meant. So I decided to write this lens to talk about what I found out about each condition, and the differences between acid reflux or GERD. I was surprised to find out that I had actually experienced acid reflux for many years, I just didn't know the technical medical term and once again I thought it was just one of those things everyone gets (maybe everyone does?).
What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is the process where gastric and stomach acids flow back into the oesophagus. These gastric and stomach acids are very strong, by flowing back into the oesophagus they cause pain and discomfort. This pain and discomfort can also be known as heartburn.The oesophagus or esophagus is:
"The portion of the alimentary canal between the pharynx and stomach. It is about 25-cm long and consists of three parts: the cervical part, from the cricoid cartilage to the thoracic inlet; the thoracic part, from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm; and the abdominal part, below the diaphragm to the cardiac opening of the stomach." according to this Medical Dictionary definition.
What Causes Acid Reflux?
These are some of the factors that may cause acid reflux:
- Eating Habits - eating too quickly and overeating, particularly the wrong foods.- Food - acidic, fatty, and spicy
- Drink - alcohol, acidic, and caffeine
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
I have found recently I have experienced acid reflux when laying in bed at night, after eating a spicy curry, and usually a couple of alcoholic drinks.
What are Acid Reflux Symptoms?
These are some of the symptoms you may notice if you encounter acid reflux:- Heartburn / Chest Pain - burning sensation rising from stomach/chest up to neck.
- A horrible taste in your mouth from the presence of acid.
- Regurgitation
- Sore Throat
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Dental Erosion - from acid decaying tooth enamel.
In my experiences with acid reflux, I experienced regurgitation, a horrible taste in my mouth, heartburn, and very occasionally a sore throat the day after. It is only because of that horrible taste that I managed to identify it as acid reflux.
What is GERD?
GERD - Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease
GERD is a chronic condition where the gastric acids from the stomach regularly flow back into the oesophagus and sometimes the lungs and larynx, causing severe inflammation.
GERD medical definition:
"a syndrome due to structural or functional incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which permits retrograde flow of acidic gastric juice into the esophagus" according to this Medical Dictionary definition.
GERD is a chronic condition where the gastric acids from the stomach regularly flow back into the oesophagus and sometimes the lungs and larynx, causing severe inflammation.
GERD medical definition:
"a syndrome due to structural or functional incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which permits retrograde flow of acidic gastric juice into the esophagus" according to this Medical Dictionary definition.
What Causes GERD?
When we eat, our food enters the stomach from the oesphagus. There is a valve where the oesphagus meets the stomach, the purpose of this valve is to let food pass from the oesphagus into the stomach, and not to let anything from the stomach come back into the oesphagus, particularly not to let the stomach acids pass as these acids can be as strong as battery acid. The stomach is designed to withstand these acids but the oesphagus is a lot more sensitive.
GERD happens when this valve doesn't stay shut, this then allows the stomach acids to flow freely back into the oesphagus causing severe damage.
GERD is treatable.
If GERD isn't treated it can lead to further complications.
GERD happens when this valve doesn't stay shut, this then allows the stomach acids to flow freely back into the oesphagus causing severe damage.
GERD is treatable.
If GERD isn't treated it can lead to further complications.
What are GERD Symptoms?
The main symptoms of GERD usually are:
- heartburn / acid reflux symptoms twice or more per week.
- heartburn / acid reflux symptoms twice or more per week.
What is the difference between Acid Reflux and GERD?
Acid Reflux is the process where gastric and stomach acids flow back into the oesophagus, one of the most common symptoms of which is: heartburn / chest pain (burning sensation rising from stomach/chest up to neck).
GERD is the frequent re-occurrence of Acid Reflux.
GERD is the frequent re-occurrence of Acid Reflux.
Understanding Acid Reflux Disease - Video
Food For Thought
Foods to eat and foods to avoid for a healthier acid reflux free diet
Foods to Eat:
- Fruit - apples, bananas
- Vegetables - carrots, broccoli, peas, cabbage, baked potato, green beans
- Meat - chicken breast, fish
- Grains - white or multi-grain bread, rice, bran or oatmeal cereal
- Dairy - fat-free cream cheese, fat-free sour cream, goat cheese
Foods to Avoid Eating:
- Fast Food - burgers, fried chicken, chips, curry
- Acidic Fruit - oranges, lemons, satsumas, clementines, grapefruit, tomatoes
- Dairy
- Chocolate
- Fruit - apples, bananas
- Vegetables - carrots, broccoli, peas, cabbage, baked potato, green beans
- Meat - chicken breast, fish
- Grains - white or multi-grain bread, rice, bran or oatmeal cereal
- Dairy - fat-free cream cheese, fat-free sour cream, goat cheese
Foods to Avoid Eating:
- Fast Food - burgers, fried chicken, chips, curry
- Acidic Fruit - oranges, lemons, satsumas, clementines, grapefruit, tomatoes
- Dairy
- Chocolate
Acid Reflux and GERD News
The latest Acid Reflux News & GERD News articles published daily. Includes news on esophageal reflux, heartburn and indigestion.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAcid Reflux and GERD Links
- What Is Acid Reflux? What Causes Acid Reflux?
- The word "reflux" comes from the Medieval Latin word refluxus which comes from the Latin word refluere, meaning "to flow back, to recede". If you suffer from acid reflux the acids from your stomach "flow back" into your esophagus, causing discomfort and pain - this discomfort is known as heartburn...
- What Is GERD? What Causes GERD?
- GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease occurs when gastric acid from the stomach goes up into the esophagus, often causing inflammation of the esophagus - esophagitis. Reflux refers to the upward or reverse movement from the stomach upwards to the esophagus...
- What's the Difference Between Acid Reflux and GERD?
- A quick explanation describing the differences between Acid Reflux and GERD...
Your Feedback
Talk about your experiences with Acid Reflux / GERD, or ask any questions you may have, or just give a thumbs up.
submit
Note:
Please always consult with a medical professional regarding any medical information and advice. The information and links here may not be accurate or current and in no way should be used as medical opinion or advice.
Great Stuff on Amazon
Bed Wedge - Foam Wedge Bed Pillow 12" x 24" 'x 24" Good for Acid Reflux, Snoring. Comes w/ white Pillow Cover by Duro-Med
Amazon Price: $30.45 (as of 12/27/2009) 
Tell Me What to Eat If I Have Acid Reflux: Nutrition You Can Live With
Amazon Price: $9.35 (as of 12/27/2009)
Science of Sleep Sleep Wedge Pillow for Acid Reflux
Amazon Price: $71.37 (as of 12/27/2009)
by robert320
I started out by investigating why I have abnormal hiccups, hiccups that last for hours rather than most peoples minutes. My investigations bought up... (more)
Explore related pages
Gerd diet- Do you suffer from digestive disorders such as heartburn, acid reflux or GERD? D...
Acid Reflux and GERD Cures- Heart burn, acid reflux and GERD are all too common - affecting up to 20% of us...
Acid Reflux and Diet- Welcome to Acid Reflux and Diet Blog!!! Acid reflux, acid reflux and diet, acid...
- Acid reflux and GERD diet
- If you have been diagnosed with acid reflux, or gast...
- Acid Reflux, Indigestion and GERD
- From time to time, everyone experiences symptoms of indigestion or heartburn. Of...
What Is Acid Reflux- What is Acid Reflux? For many people who suffer badly from acid reflux the real...
