GERD, Acid Reflux, or Heartburn - Which Is Worst?

Begin reading about heartburn, and you will soon find other words entering your research: acid reflux and GERD. Confused, you look for distinguishing traits. Which symptoms go with which complaint? Which is worst?

GERD, acid reflux, and heartburn are really one and the same complaint. Medical professionals make these distinctions, however:

* Heartburn: The burning feeling caused when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus.

* Acid reflux: The condition in which stomach acid flows back into your esophagus.

* GERD: Chronic condition in which stomach acid flows back into your esophagus two or more times a week.

You will readily see that the distinctions are minor. Heartburn is heartburn. Acid reflux is generally thought to be a more accurate term, since the heart is not involved, but the complaint is the same. GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, is also called acid reflux disease.

Disease?

The term “disease” makes the layman think GERD and its companions are serious matters, and they can become so. But “disease” simply means a condition that impairs normal functioning and typically has symptoms.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease - GERD - is a condition that impairs the normal functioning of the esophagus and stomach, and typically has symptoms of burning, bitter taste, etc. Acid reflux and heartburn are the same condition.

What Causes GERD, Acid Reflux, and Heartburn

GERD, by whichever name, is impaired functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a ring of muscle at the lower end of the esophagus, just where it meets the stomach. Picture the esophagus as a long, fat straw with a balloon (the stomach) at the end of the straw.

If you pour thick juice through the straw, it will go into the balloon. When the balloon is full, you can stop the flow by pinching the end of the straw. Your fingers are functioning as the LES functions. As long as the LES functions properly, it pinches tightly as soon as swallowed food and saliva has entered the stomach. When more food descends the esophagus, the LES loosens its “pinch” and lets the food pass. Then it pinches shut again. The “pinch” keeps stomach acids where they belong - in the stomach. GERD and heartburn will not occur.

Imagine that you put a little pressure on the filled balloon. As long as your fingers pinch tightly, the juice will remain in the balloon. If the pressure increases, your fingers will have to work harder. At some point, they may not be able to hold back all of the juice. Some may leak back into the straw. This can happen with the LES, too. If you are overweight or wearing tight clothing, pressure on the stomach can become too great, impairing the functioning of the LES. Try as it might, it cannot hold back all of the stomach juices. Some acid fluxes, flows back, into the esophagus. This can cause GERD.

Now imagine that your fingers are weak. Even without pressure on the balloon, you have trouble keeping the “pinch” tight. Your fingers get tired. They want to relax. Gradually, they relax slightly, and juice leaks out of the balloon into the straw.

GERD, acid reflux, and heartburn are a result of the LES weakening and losing its ability to pinch shut when it should.

In babies, a weak LES can be a matter of muscle tissue that has not yet matured. In older people, it can be muscle tissue that is losing its tone. At any age, a weak LES is the cause of GERD, whichever name it uses.

CAUTION: The information in this article is for educational purposes only. Please seek the advice of a professional physician before accepting it.