Have you ever experienced heartburn or acid reflux? If so, you know how unpleasant it can be. And, even though you may have heard a lot of people talking about heartburn and acid reflux, you might not know what they are and why they happen.

The term acid reflux refers to acid backing up from the stomach into the esophagus. The term heartburn usually refers to a burning sensation in the chest which is usually brought on by certain foods.

And while we’re talking about digestion, we should also mention GERD. This term refers to a condition where the valve at the top of the stomach allows acid to flow back into the esophagus. GERD may have other symptoms also, including nausea, belching and a bad taste in the mouth, just to name a few.

When treating or trying to avoid heartburn, the solution may be as simple as not eating certain foods.

But with GERD, lifestyle changes like losing weight, no smoking or alcohol and eating small meals throughout the day may be required to feel some relief.