To better understand things related to heartburn and reflux, recognize the following key terms that describe treatment, symptoms, and basic information about the two conditions:
GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Reflux: Stomach contents that slosh back from the stomach to the esophagus through the LES
LES: Lower esophageal sphincter; the “trapdoor” between esophagus and stomach
Heartburn: Pain caused by reflux
Gastroenterologist: Physician specializing in diseases of the digestive tract
Antacid: Medicine that neutralizes stomach acid
H2 blocker: Histamine 2 blocker; a class of drugs that slows the production of stomach acid
PPI: Proton pump inhibitor; a class of drugs that reduces the production of stomach acid and appears to heal reflux damage to the esophagus
