What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is a persistent condition in which bile or stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and the gullet, generating a burning feeling in the chest. Heartburn is among the symptoms of acid reflux. Bloating, sore throat, nausea, stomach discomfort, an acidic or heated taste in the back of the throat, and so on are all signs of heartburn.
The lower esophageal sphincter is a valve at the stomach‘s entrance that closes as soon as food flows through it. Acid reflux occurs when the LES (Lower esophageal sphincter) opens too frequently or does not seal properly, allowing stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus.
Obesity, smoking, eating fried and fatty foods, eating a big quantity of food, consuming alcohol, diabetes, pregnancy, and hiatal hernia are all common causes of acid reflux. To keep acid reflux at bay Avoid fatty and fried meals, onions and garlic, mint, spicy foods, chocolate, and acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits.
Acid reflux is treated with a change in diet, weight loss, and medications such as antidiarrhea, proton pump inhibitors, and antacids. Antacids that include both aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide are preferable. If antacids are ineffective in preventing acid reflux, physicians may give H2 blockers, foaming agents, or prokinetics.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (gastroesophageal reflux disease). It’s a burning sensation that starts in the center of the chest and spreads to the throat and neck. A sour or bitter sensation in the back of the throat can accompany heartburn. Heartburn is worsened by eating a large meal or lying down soon thereafter.
A burning feeling behind the breastbone or in the center of the chest is a sign of heartburn. An unpleasant burning feeling occurs around the heart as a result of the burning sensation. Smoking, drinking alcohol, diabetes, obesity, eating a big quantity of food, drinking citrus drinks, and eating fried and fatty foods are all common causes of heartburn. Heartburn can be caused by spicy meals, chocolate, fatty and fried foods, mint, onions, and garlic.
Heartburn may be treated at home using over-the-counter drugs. To avoid heartburn, avoid reclining down for at least two hours after eating. Heartburn may be avoided by avoiding chocolate, fatty, and fried meals.
Heartburn is fairly prevalent on occasion. However, frequent severe heartburn might be a sign of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), a chronic acid reflux disorder. Healthcare practitioners will need to prescribe therapies in this instance.
Difference Between Acid Reflux and Heartburn
- Acid reflux is a persistent condition in which stomach acid travels up the esophagus and into the gullet, generating a burning feeling in the center of the chest. Acid reflux causes heartburn as a symptom. It’s a burning feeling felt beneath the breastbone or in the middle of the chest.
- Heartburn is among the symptoms of acid reflux. Bloating, sore throat, nausea, stomach discomfort, an acidic or heated taste in the back of the throat, and so on are all signs of heartburn. A burning feeling behind the breastbone or in the center of the chest is a sign of heartburn. An unpleasant burning feeling occurs around the heart as a result of the burning sensation.
- Obesity, smoking, eating fried and fatty foods, eating a big quantity of food, consuming alcohol, diabetes, pregnancy, and hiatal hernia are all common causes of acid reflux. Smoking, drinking alcohol, diabetes, obesity, eating a big amount of food, and eating fried and fatty foods are all common causes of heartburn.
- Acid reflux is caused by fatty and fried meals, onions and garlic, mint, spicy foods, chocolate, and acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits. Heartburn can be caused by spicy meals, chocolate, fatty and fried foods, mint, onions, and garlic.
- Acid reflux is treated with a change in diet, weight loss, and medications such as antidiarrhea, proton pump inhibitors, and antacids. To avoid heartburn, avoid reclining down for at least two hours after eating. Heartburn may be avoided by avoiding chocolate, fatty, and fried meals.
Comparison Between Acid Reflux and Heartburn
| Parameters of Comparison | Acid Reflux | Heartburn |
| Definition | Acid reflux is a persistent condition in which stomach acid travels up the esophagus and into the gullet, generating a burning feeling in the center of the chest. | Acid reflux causes heartburn as a symptom. It’s a burning feeling behind the breastbone or in the middle of the chest. |
| Symptoms | Heartburn is one of the signs of acid reflux. Bloating, sore throat, nausea, stomach discomfort, an acidic or heated taste in the back of the throat, and so on are all signs of heartburn. | A burning feeling behind the breastbone or in the center of the chest is a sign of heartburn. An unpleasant burning feeling occurs around the heart as a result of the burning sensation. |
| Causes | Obesity, smoking, eating fried and fatty foods, eating a big quantity of food, consuming alcohol, diabetes, pregnancy, and hiatal hernia are all common causes of acid reflux. | Smoking, drinking alcohol, diabetes, obesity, eating a big amount of food, and eating fried and fatty foods are all common causes of heartburn. |
| Aggravating foods | Acid reflux is caused by fatty and fried meals, onions and garlic, mint, spicy foods, chocolate, and acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits. | Heartburn can be caused by spicy meals, chocolate, fatty and fried foods, mint, onions, and garlic. |
| Treatment | Acid reflux is treated by modifying the diet, losing weight, taking medicines like antidiarrheal, a proton-pump inhibitor, and antacid. | To avoid heartburn, avoid reclining down for at least two hours after eating. Heartburn may be avoided by avoiding chocolate, fatty, and fried meals. |