Medical terminologies are often confusing and become even more perplexing when expressed in acronyms. Two such common terms are health conditions called GER and GERD. The former stands for gastroesophageal reflux and the latter for gastroesophageal reflux disease. While both conditions are closely related, they aren’t the same. Read on to know the basic difference between GER and GERD, along with symptoms, risk factors, and treatments.

1. How are GER and GERD different?
GER is also called heartburn, acid reflux, or acid indigestion. It happens when the content in the stomach rises into the esophagus. This can cause irritation and a burning sensation in the middle of the chest (heartburn). GER is common among infants, as their digestive system isn’t fully developed. However, adults also experience GER occasionally, especially after overeating or eating foods that increase stomach acid or are hard to digest.

Unlike GER, which is considered normal, GERD is a disease. In other words, GERD is more serious and requires medical attention to avoid health complications. However, it shares a few symptoms, such as heartburn and regurgitation of partially digested food (acid reflux) with GER. Additional symptoms of GERD include chest pain, trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat, and hoarseness.

2. When does GER progress to GERD?
Health experts maintain that heartburn that occurs two or more times a week is a strong sign of GERD. If an individual experiences other symptoms along with heartburn, they must screen for GERD. Sometimes, aging affects the digestive system, triggering symptoms similar to GERD. If symptoms persist for longer, one must immediately visit a doctor and start treatment.

3. Causes and risk factors
Normally, the esophagus muscle opens a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to allow foods to enter the stomach. Then, LES closes to prevent the food and digestive acid from creeping back up into the esophagus. However, sometimes, LES becomes weak and relaxes when it shouldn’t, letting stomach acid flow back up into the esophagus and triggering GER.

GER is common, and many people experience it at some point. However, various factors put individuals at a higher risk of developing GERD. These factors include esophagus injury, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, and genetics. Certain medications can also increase the risk of GERD or make its symptoms worse, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and certain asthma medications.

4. Treatment
Treatment approaches to both GER and GERD are similar. Doctors often prescribe medications and recommend making certain lifestyle changes to manage symptoms of these conditions. Some over-the-counter medications can also help treat minor acid reflux. However, it’s best to see a doctor if symptoms persist. Lifestyle changes that can help manage GER and GERD include achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding lying down after eating, quitting smoking, consuming smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods, and reducing the dosage of certain medications. If there is still no improvement, doctors may recommend surgery to strengthen the LES.