Is Acid Reflux the Same As GERD?

If you’ve experienced heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux, you can know how uncomfortable and annoying it can be. Most people assume it’s caused by excess stomach acid, but research has been showing that it’s actually due to a lack of stomach acid. Acid reflux is something that pretty much everyone experiences at some point in their life, but some people have frequently occurring acid reflux to the point it affects their daily life. At The Gut Authority, we can help you uncover your root cause of digestive issues to come up with solutions.

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux (also referred to as indigestion or heartburn) is when the stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus. When you have an episode of acid reflux, it’s common to feel a burning sensation in the chest. Some people can have acid reflux after eating large meals, spicy foods, or even drinking alcohol or coffee. The reason people experience acid reflux is the lower esophageal sphincter valve can become relaxed over time, allowing the stomach acid to make its way back up.

Factors for Acid Reflux

There are various causes of acid reflux, with these being some of the most common:

Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the woman’s growing uterus can cause the organs to shift, putting pressure on the abdomen.
Eating habits. Eating food too late and then immediately going to bed can be a trigger for acid reflux for some people.
Types of food. Spicy, acidic, and fried foods can cause indigestion for some people. Alcohol and caffeine may trigger it as well.
Hiatal hernia. The upper part of the stomach can come up into the diaphragm, causing discomfort and increased heartburn.

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is closely related to acid reflux, but it isn’t exactly the same condition. Acid reflux can progress to GERD, which is more severe. If you’ve been experiencing heartburn two or more times per week, you may be dealing with GERD. Other common symptoms and signs can include difficulty swallowing, coughing, chest pain, and regurgitating food.

What Can Help Acid Reflux and GERD?

If you deal with occasional heartburn, working with a practitioner that is familiar with the condition can be extremely helpful. Fortunately, lifestyle changes can often help decrease the occurrence. Eating more frequent, smaller meals no closer to bedtime than two to three hours; avoiding triggering foods; and sleeping on an incline may help. Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and limit your caffeine intake to help even more. A natural health practitioner can help you come up with an individual plan to discover the root cause of your digestive problems, often helping you feel better for the long term.

Get to The Root Cause of Digestive Issues

When dealing with acid reflux, hiatal hernia, or other digestive issues, it can be very frustrating. However, there is always a root cause to digestive issues. The body wants to stay in a state of homeostasis, and when given the right tools, it can heal. Working with a holistic practitioner that understands the whole body connection can help you return to a state of homeostasis.

Call Us Today for Digestive Health Help

If you’ve been dealing with chronic digestive health issues, don’t suffer a moment longer. Give The Gut Authority a call to schedule an appointment to get to the root cause of your problems. We enjoy serving our clients in the Pensacola, Florrida/Pascagoula, Mississippi, and Mobile/Baldwin County, AL areas. Contact us today.