The key difference between GERD and peptic ulcer disease is that GERD is a condition caused by issues arising from acid in the esophagus, whereas peptic ulcer disease is a condition caused by issues caused by stomach acid affecting the lining.
GERD and peptic ulcer disease are both due to problems created by acids in the body. Therefore, the underline issue for both these conditions is the same, which is acid. Moreover, the medications used to treat them are also the same. These medications are acid reducers such as Pepcid, Zantac, and Prilosec.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is GERD
3. What is Peptic Ulcer Disease
4. Similarities – GERD and Peptic Ulcer Disease
5. GERD vs. Peptic Ulcer Disease in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – GERD and Peptic Ulcer Disease
7. Summary – GERD vs. Peptic Ulcer Disease
What is GERD?
GERD, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition that occurs when stomach acid repeatedly moves back into the esophagus. The symptoms of this condition may include a burning sensation in the chest, usually after eating, backwash, upper abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, sensation of a lump in the throat, ongoing coughing, laryngitis, and new or worsening asthma. The risk factors for this condition are obesity, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, connective tissue disorders, and delayed stomach emptying.
Figure 01: GERD
GERD can be diagnosed through upper endoscopy, ambulatory acid probe test, X-ray of the upper digestive system, esophageal manometry, and transnasal esophagoscopy. Furthermore, treatment options for GERD may include medications such as antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors, and surgeries like fundoplication, LINX devices, and transoral incisionless fundoplication.
What is Peptic Ulcer Disease?
Peptic ulcer disease occurs when the acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine because of higher acid production due to bacteria and medications like NSAIDs, aspirin, SSRIs, etc. This condition leads to open sores or ulcers in the stomach. Moreover, the common symptoms of this condition may include burning stomach pain, feeling of fullness, bloating or belching, intolerance to fatty foods, heartburn, and nausea. The risk factors for this condition are smoking, drinking alcohol, having untreated stress, and eating spicy foods.
Figure 02: Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcer disease can be diagnosed through laboratory tests for Helicobacter pyroli, endoscopy, and upper gastrointestinal series. Furthermore, treatment options for peptic ulcer disease are antibiotics to kill the Helicobacter pyroli, proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, antacids, sucralfate, misoprostol, lifestyle and home remedies such as pain relievers, reducing stress, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol.
What are the Similarities Between GERD and Peptic Ulcer Disease?
- GERD and peptic ulcer disease are both due to problems created by acids in the body.
- Both conditions can cause similar symptoms, such as stomach pain, heartburn, etc.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation and endoscopy.
- Both bacterial species can cause soft tissue infections.
- They can be treated through antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers.
What is the Difference Between GERD and Peptic Ulcer Disease?
GERD is a condition due to problems created by acid in the esophagus, while peptic ulcer disease is a condition due to problems created by the acid in the stomach lining. Thus, this is the key difference between GERD and peptic ulcer disease. Furthermore, GERD occurs when stomach acid repeatedly moves back into the esophagus. On the other hand, peptic ulcer disease occurs when the acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine because of higher acid production due to bacteria and medications like NSAIDs, aspirin, SSRIs, etc.
The infographic below presents the differences between GERD and peptic ulcer disease in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: GERD and Peptic Ulcer Disease
How do I know if I have GERD or gastritis?
Diagnosis can be done by checking the symptoms and medical history. Moreover, by doing tests such as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, they can be diagnosed.
What are the symptoms of GERD?
A sour taste in the mouth, regurgitation, nausea, burping, bloating, dry cough or throat clearing repeatedly, sore throat, hoarseness or laryngitis are symptoms of GERD.
What is the main symptom of peptic ulcer?
Burning stomach pain is the main symptom of peptic ulcer.
Summary – GERD vs. Peptic Ulcer Disease
GERD and peptic ulcer disease are two problems due to digestive tract acids in the body. Both these conditions may have similar symptoms, such as stomach pain, heartburn, etc. Moreover, both these conditions can be managed by medications like antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and H2 blockers. However, GERD is a condition due to the stomach contents moving up into the esophagus while peptic ulcer disease is a condition due to sores or ulcers in the lining of the stomach lining. Furthermore, GERD occurs when stomach acid repeatedly moves back into the esophagus, whereas peptic ulcer disease occurs when the acid in the digestive tract eats away at the inner surface of the stomach or small intestine because of higher acid production due to bacteria and medications like NSAIDs, aspirin, SSRIs, etc. So, this summarizes the difference between GERD and peptic ulcer disease.
Reference:
1. “Gerd: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, Remedies for Relief.” WebMD.
2. “Peptic Ulcer Disease: Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)” By BruceBlaus – File:GERD.png (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Peptic Ulcers” By MIT OpenCourseWare (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED) via Flickr