Heartburn and Reflux For Dummies
Book image
Explore Book Buy On Amazon

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

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book authors:

Carol Ann Rinzler writes a nutrition column for the New York Daily News and has authored more than 20 books.

Ken DeVault, MD, is coauthor of the American College of Gastroenterology's official guideline statements on the diagnosis and treatment of GERD.

This article can be found in the category: