GERD doesn't always mean acid reflux

moesciphish

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

StoryOfTheYear

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

LovesTeaching

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.

blondy2061h

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.

LovesTeaching

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.

blondy2061h

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

Ol'Line Rebel

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.

wakkochic17

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

StoryOfTheYear

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.