Probably everyone has experienced a little heartburn at some time. That burning feeling in your chest or maybe an acid taste in your mouth, we all know that feeling. With chronic acid reflux or GERD, that feeling is much more severe and much more frequent.

The word "reflux" means backflow – specifically in our case the backflow of stomach acid and other digestive juices back up into the esophagus and beyond, where it doesn’t belong. This is what creates that burning feeling that you experience. It is the very powerful acid (which belongs in your stomach), getting into places where it is not meant to be. By the way, you can have acid reflux without the burning feeling.

The esophagus, throat, voice box and air passages to your lungs do not have the same protection against this acid as your stomach does. In short, the acid is doing real physical damage to these other parts of your body!

Acid Reflux Disease (A.R.D.), Heartburn or GERD?
GERD – gastro esophageal reflux disease - is basically the same as acid reflux disease.

Indigestion and Dyspepsia - is more like an upset stomach or discomfort or burning feeling in the upper abdomen, often along with nausea, bloating, belching and vomiting. Some people also call heartburn "indigestion". Indigestion can be caused by other things, like a ulcer, but it can also be from acid reflux or GERD.

Heartburn - is the term given to the actual burning feeling in your chest. You can experience this if you have A.R.D., however, occasional heartburn does not automatically mean you have A.R.D.. Everyone experiences occasional heartburn.

Acid Reflux Disease (A.R.D.)- is when the acidic digestive juices from the stomach are getting into the esophagus consistently over a long time. Damage is repeatedly being done so healing will not occur. This is much more serious than occasional heartburn.