I'm kind of disappointed with the renaming of this board. In order for a diagnosis of acid reflux to be applied, the person has to have heart burn frequently. I was diagnosed with GERD at 16 having never had heart burn, just frequent vomiting. Therefore I have GERD, but not Acid Reflux.

I'm kind of disappointed with the renaming of this board. In order for a diagnosis of acid reflux to be applied, the person has to have heart burn frequently. I was diagnosed with GERD at 16 having never had heart burn, just frequent vomiting. Therefore I have GERD, but not Acid Reflux.

I think the argument is more that acid reflux doesn't have to mean you have heart burn... but GERD is definitely acid reflux. Using acid reflux just covers more areas like LPR, GERD, Heartburn.. etc

It's still a reflux disorder - Gastro-Oestophogeal Reflux Disorder (except americans drop the 'O' and instead of GORD it's GERD.)

It's still a reflux disorder - Gastro-Oestophogeal Reflux Disorder (except americans drop the 'O' and instead of GORD it's GERD.)
Actually, GERD = Gastroesophageal reflux disease. No dropping of an "O" required. :)

I agree with moesciphish. If you have GERD, you do indeed have acid reflux. It just doesn't necessarily have to take the form of heartburn.

Europeans spell esophogus "oesophogus." I asked my doctor if I had acid reflux, she said no, since everything refluxes, not just the acid. Hmm...interesting.

Hi Blondy,

Thanks for that European spelling.

I don't understand what your doc is saying. How can one have vomiting without stomach acid coming up? Unless the food is coming up completely undigested (sorry to get graphic here), it must be mixed with stomach acid. Hence, acid reflux. That's my understanding of the disorder, anyway, but I could certainly be mistaken.

My understanding was that in acid reflux just the acid was coming up, hence the heartburn, whereas reflux can describe anything coming up.

I think it's good because as you say, there is just acid reflux (EVERYONE refluxes), and there is the DISEASE.

I think it's good because someone may come looking for general heartburn help, and even if it's constant like those with real disease, they may find they don't have the disease, but need help controlling this symptom of some other condition. People with the disease know alot about helping the pain it causes.

So I think it's good to "open it up". And not just because of LPRD.

My understanding was that in acid reflux just the acid was coming up, hence the heartburn, whereas reflux can describe anything coming up.

hmm.. what could possibly come up though OTHER than stomach acid? Even with undigested food.. there still is stomach acid with it..

Actually, GERD = Gastroesophageal reflux disease. No dropping of an "O" required. :)

I agree with moesciphish. If you have GERD, you do indeed have acid reflux. It just doesn't necessarily have to take the form of heartburn.


Like blondy said, most of the English speaking word uses traditional english - Europe, australia, NZ etc. I've gone through alot of medico-nursing textbooks and theres a big difference in american vs. english spelling in the industry.