Acid reflux and GERD: The same thing?

Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are closely related, but the terms don't mean exactly the same thing.

Acid reflux is the backward flow of stomach acid into the tube, called the esophagus, that connects the throat to the stomach. Acid reflux also is known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER). During an episode of acid reflux, you might feel a burning sensation in your chest. This symptom is called heartburn or acid indigestion.

Most people have acid reflux once in a while. This can happen after eating a big meal, lying down right after eating, drinking coffee or alcohol, or eating spicy food. Having acid reflux doesn't necessarily mean you have a medical condition.

GERD, on the other hand, is a chronic medical condition. This means it is an ongoing disease with acid reflux causing symptoms two or more times a week.

Regardless of how often symptoms happen, GERD also is diagnosed if acid reflux is causing damage to tissues in the esophagus. This may include damage caused by long-term inflammation or permanent changes in tissues that increase the risk of cancer.

Symptoms of GERD include:

• Heartburn, particularly after eating or while lying down.
• Backwash of food or sour liquid in the throat.
• Upper belly or chest pain.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Sensation of a lump in the throat.
• A cough that won't go away.

Lifestyle changes can help prevent acid reflux and help you manage GERD. These include the following:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Stop smoking.
• Elevate the head of your bed.
• Start on your left side when you go to bed.
• Don't lie down after a meal.
• Eat food slowly and chew thoroughly.
• Don't consume foods and drinks that trigger reflux, such as alcohol, caffeine, fizzy drinks, fatty or spicy foods, chocolate, or peppermint.
• Don't wear tight-fitting clothing.

Over-the-counter medicines to ease symptoms of occasional heartburn include:

• Antacids, such as Tums or Maalox.
• Medicines that limit acid production, such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC) and nizatidine (Axid)..

Treatment for GERD includes lifestyle changes and medicines you can get with or without a prescription that block acid production. Surgery is uncommon, but it may be used to treat severe disease or complications of the disease.

See your healthcare professional if you have heartburn or related symptoms two or more times a week or if you're using over-the-counter medicines for heartburn two or more times a week.