What Is The Difference Between Indigestion and Acid Reflux
Khim Lim
Many used the terms indigestion and acid reflux interchangeably and to
mean the same thing. However, in reality, there are a number of
differences between the two conditions. Although acid reflux symptoms
are similar to those that you experienced with indigestion, they are
more often than not a lot more severe and can last more than a few
hours.
In its most serious form, acid reflux is known as Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD is characterized by pain in the oesophagus
and throat where the acid from the stomach causes damage to the lining.
These symptoms can often only be relieved with medications and so it is
important that anyone suffering from prolonged pain to consult the
doctor with little delay.
If left untreated the acid reflux symptoms can become unbearable as the
lining of the oesophagus is slowly eroded away by the stomach acid. The
worst case scenario is that oesophageal cancer or any of the other
serious and potentially life-threatening throat conditions develop
which are a lot harder to treat than the initial complaint.
Indigestion is often thought to be a milder version although this is
not technically true. Some of the symptoms are similar however
indigestion has a number of symptoms not experienced in acid reflux and
vice versa. For example, one of the most common symptoms of indigestion
is gassy episodes and often these episodes are felt by sufferers of
true acid reflux. Indigestion sufferers may also have an uncomfortable
feeling around the chest and shoulder area that is not relieved by
burping.
If you over-eat or eat too quickly, there is a good chance of getting
indigestion. Basically, you have just bombarded your stomach with food
and acid is produced in large quantities. Acid reflux however is caused
when the sphincter at the top of the stomach is weakened and the
stomach acid is allowed to travel up the oesophagus and often into the
throat. Because of different causes, you feel the major symptoms of the
two conditions in different parts of the body; that is, the chest in
indigestion and the throat/oesophagus in acid reflux.
Whether you are having indigestion or acid reflux, you are likely to
experience pain and a great deal of discomfort. The good news is that
both can be managed with changing your eating and lifestyle habits.
Making a few changes can help you to alleviate the pain that accompany
their symptoms. Where you experience extreme pain, despite making these
lifestyle changes, you should see a doctor quickly.
Acid reflux symptoms and indigestion is treatable. For more information
and resources, please visit this site
http://www.treat-acid-reflux.com
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