Anne Arundel Gastroenterology Associates Blog

The terms heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) are often used interchangeably. In reality, they can be very different.

In the world of digestive disorders, acid reflux, heartburn and GERD are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion among them.

Do you have frequent heartburn? Chronic heartburn (occurring two or more times a week) can indicate an underlying condition that may be damaging your esophagus. In fact, chronic heartburn has been linked to esophageal cancer. This does not mean that you automatically have or will get esophageal cancer, only that it is one of several risk factors for the disease.

Heartburn can sometimes manifest itself after a heavy meal. You may have finished a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, your favorite, and you feel the all-too-familiar pain in your chest that shows up after a particularly greasy or heavy meal. Normally, it’s not a cause for concern, but when it happens too often, it could be a sign of another issue.