Do I Have an Ulcer or Is It Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
By Doug Bremner

Ulcers and Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) (also known as heartburn or dyspepsia) have traditionally been known as the businessmen's diseases, because they were common among mid-20th century professional males who spent a great deal of time sitting in offices and eating steak and sauce-laden, 3-martini lunches. After all, the risk of getting GERD and ulcers is increased with excessive alcohol use, stress, alcohol, smoking, diet, medications (aspirin, NSAIDs), and some medical conditions. 350,000 Americans develop ulcers every year and 3,000 die from them.

Aside from behavior and stress, infection with the H. Pylori bacteria can also cause ulcers. Infection by the bacteria can be identified with a simple test and treated with antibiotics. Ulcers happen when stomach acid burns a hole in the wall of your stomach or intestine. Secretion of acid in the stomach is an important reason why ulcers don't heal. Symptoms of ulcers include stomach pain, indigestion, and bloody vomit; unless you vomit blood (which doesn't always happen with ulcers) it can be hard to tell if you have ulcers, GERD, or functional dyspepsia. Ulcers are diagnosed by endoscopy, when the doctor puts a tube with a camera on the end of it and looks down your throat for ulcers. If you have a negative H. Pylori test and you don't take aspirin, NSAIDs or Cox 2 inhibitors, it is unlikely you have an ulcer. That is because research studies have shown that the number of people with ulcers without the risk factors of a positive H. Pylori test, or treatment with arthritis medications, is very rare.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused by reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. It is accompanied by symptoms of heartburn (burning pain in the chest (under the breastbone) or acid reflux, especially after eating that is more frequent at night and is relieved by antacids. Other symptoms include belching, regurgitation of food, nausea, vomiting, hoarseness, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and cough. Untreated, it can increase the risk of cancer of the esophagus. Dyspepsia refers in general to stomach upset after meals that may or may not be due to GERD. Although both are stomach-related conditions with overlapping symptoms, GERD and ulcers are different; ulcers are when gastric acid burns a hole in your stomach. GERD is where gastric acid shoots back up through the valve between your stomach and your esophagus-and is very common in obese people.

Read more about gastrointestinal conditions at Before You Take That Pill

'Before You Take That Pill: Why the Drug Industry May be Bad for Your Health: Risks and Side Effects You Won't Find on the Label of Commonly Prescribed Drugs, Vitamins and Supplements', by researcher and physician J. Douglas Bremner, MD.