the exact definition of acid reflux disease, is heartburn twice a week or more.
in the heartburn details of course.
http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/what-is-acid-reflux-diseaseso yeah, its the same thing.
once wouldn't be a disease. but if things happen more often, you can get drugs for them. thus disease.
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a drug for any random symptom will be made. but no one can patent it and earn on it till your allowed to sell it.
so then you take that symptom and make it into a legal disease by adding the qualification (often) to it.
then that same drug company will make all sorts of commercials convincing the average idiot that they are always dieing from things.
so instead of your dad not eating spicy food, dealing with his stress, or losing weight. (all cures of heartburn and acid reflux) he will indefinitely pay for pills instead.