... like I'm 5 years old
Acid reflux and heartburn are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Acid reflux is a physical condition where stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus, which is the tube that leads from your mouth to your stomach. This can cause a burning sensation, which is what we commonly refer to as heartburn.
On the other hand, heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. It's that uncomfortable, burning feeling you get in your chest, just behind your breastbone. It's called "heartburn" but it has nothing to do with your heart. It's just that the esophagus is located close to the heart, so the discomfort can feel like it's coming from your heart.
Think of it this way: Acid reflux is like a mischievous dog that escapes from the yard (your stomach), while heartburn is the chaos (the burning sensation) that happens afterward.
... like I'm in College
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) — a ring of muscle at the entrance to your stomach — doesn't close all the way after you eat or drink, allowing stomach acid to move up into your esophagus.
Heartburn is a symptom of this action. It is a sensation of burning or discomfort caused by this backwash of acid. The pain usually rises in your chest and may radiate to your neck or throat.
It's important to note that frequent heartburn can be a sign of a more serious condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is chronic acid reflux that can lead to complications if left untreated.
Imagine your stomach is a LEGO box filled with LEGO bricks (representing stomach acid). At the top of the box, there's a one-way swinging door (representing the lower esophageal sphincter). This door is supposed to keep all the LEGO bricks inside the box.
Sometimes, when you shake the box (eat or drink), the door might swing open and some LEGO bricks escape into the tube leading to the box (representing the esophagus). This is acid reflux.
Now, imagine those escaped LEGO bricks are on fire. The burning sensation they cause as they travel up the tube is what we call heartburn. If those fiery LEGO bricks keep escaping too often, it can damage the tube and lead to more serious conditions.
... like I'm an expert
In clinical terms, acid reflux is a condition characterized by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, resulting in mucosal damage. This is caused by transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach.
Heartburn, or pyrosis, is a clinical symptom of this condition and is characterized by a burning discomfort behind the sternum. It's a subjective symptom, and its presence does not necessarily indicate underlying esophagitis. Heartburn is usually associated with regurgitation of gastric acid (acid reflux) and is the major symptom of GERD.
Long-term GERD can lead to complications such as esophageal stricture, Barrett's esophagus, and even esophageal adenocarcinoma if not effectively managed.