Heart burn by any other name still burns

Q. What's the difference between heartburn, acid reflux and GERD?

A. Heartburn is just another word for acid reflux. It refers to a burning sensation in the chest or throat when stomach acid comes up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food to the stomach. At the top of the stomach is a ring of muscle called a sphincter that opens to allow food into the stomach and then closes to keep it from coming back up. When the sphincter doesn't close properly, it allows some of the stomach contents, including the highly acidic digestive juices, to leak back up.

Our stomach has a special lining to protect it from the acids in the digestive juices. But since the esophagus doesn't, the acid causes an uncomfortable burning. If you get heartburn twice a week or more, you may have GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease - and should see a doctor. Long-term, frequent reflux of digestive acids can damage the esophagus, causing scar tissue to form. It can also lead to changes in the cells themselves that increase risk of cancer development.

Your doctor will be able to determine whether the symptoms you're experiencing really are heartburn, rather than an ulcer, heart disease or other serious problems. If you have frequent heartburn with no medical explanation, it might signal an unhealthy lifestyle typified by overeating, drinking too much alcohol or maintaining an unhealthy weight.

Karen Collins, registered dietitian, writes this column for the American Institute for Cancer Research. To submit a question, write to Ask the Nutritionist, c/o the Daily Herald, 1759 R St., N. W., Washington, D.C. 20009.