Is acid reflux just indigestion?

Is acid reflux just indigestion?

Is acid reflux just indigestion? Although they often occur together, the two diseases are different. Let's agree on some definitions.

Acid reflux and indigestion

Stomach acid is an acidic fluid that flows back from the stomach into the esophagus. Much of this fluid is acid, which is produced in the stomach to digest the food you eat. The acid is harmful to the walls of the esophagus.

Indigestion is most commonly defined by an upset stomach accompanied by bloating, growling stomach, gas, and stomach pain. Reflux is the emptying of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation and a taste of bile.

Acid reflux and indigestion are very common. But because we spend much of our time standing or upright, gravity keeps this acid in the stomach walls and goes unnoticed except for the occasional burp. We also swallow frequently, causing the vomited fluid to flow back into the stomach. Saliva contains bicarbonate, which helps neutralize stomach acid.

If you suffer from repeated painful acid reflux and indigestion, don't ignore the symptoms. Experiencing chronic indigestion may be symptomatic of something much more serious, as reflux acid can permanently damage the lining of your esophagus. If left untreated, it can lead to much more serious conditions such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or a hiatal hernia.

Consequences of chronic acid reflux indigestion

A childhood friend of mine tells the story of her father always chewing on Rolaids or Tums, two popular antacid tablets. He would say that a good burp would cure acid reflux digestion. Eventually he was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. When my friend suffered from frequent indigestion, she too started the ritual of chewing on the Rolaids and ignored the frequent bouts of acid reflux indigestion.

She eventually decided that the frequent indigestion was not normal. She consulted her doctor. He referred her to a specialist for an endoscopy. Endoscopy is a procedure in which a thin, lighted tube (an endoscope) is inserted into the throat.

The endoscope sends images of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, a twelve-inch-long tube that connects the stomach to the small intestine. The doctor can then determine whether there is a problem and take biopsies if necessary. Most often, the patient is sedated during this procedure to avoid the normal gag reflex.

My friend was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is a protrusion of the stomach into the esophagus. It pushes through the opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus connects to the stomach. The stomach acid then leaks into the esophagus, causing reflux. Luckily for her, the hiatal hernia was small and was easily treated with the prescribed antacids.

Years later, my friend started having bouts of very severe heartburn and nausea, which she continued to treat with the usual antacid prescriptions. But one day she woke up with severe pain in her lower stomach that didn't respond to usual remedies and didn't resemble any of the normal symptoms of acid reflux.

She returned to the doctor and he admitted her to the hospital for tests. This small hiatal hernia had grown larger and was bleeding. It had led to gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining.

She had also developed duodenitis, an inflammation of the duodenum; both caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Helicobacter pylori can lead to stomach ulcers and even stomach cancer. Most of the world's population is infected with this bacterium, but generally they are not affected by it.

Indigestion can be a normal reaction to overeating, drinking too much, or spicy food. If you have chronic indigestion and acid reflux, don't ignore it. It can be a symptom of something much more serious, like GERD.

Inspired by C. A. Perez