How to Say “Reflux” and “Heartburn” in Spanish

If you want to talk about acid reflux or heartburn in Spanish, there are different words you can use. Some terms are more common in certain countries, so let’s go over the main ways to say them, along with examples and how to ask someone if they have reflux or heartburn.

How to Say “Reflux” in Spanish

The most common way to say “reflux” is “reflujo”. If you want to be more specific and refer to acid reflux, you can say “reflujo gástrico” or “reflujo esofágico” (gastroesophageal reflux).

✅ Examples:

• Tengo reflujo después de comer alimentos picantes.
  (I have reflux after eating spicy foods.)
• El reflujo esofágico puede causar una sensación de ardor en el pecho.
  (Gastroesophageal reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest.)

How to Say “Heartburn” in Spanish

Heartburn is the burning sensation in the chest or throat caused by acid reflux. In Spanish, there are several words for it:

1. Acidez – The most common term, meaning acidity.
   • Tengo acidez después de comer demasiado rápido.
     (I have heartburn after eating too fast.)
2. Acedía – Used in some regions, especially in Central America and parts of Mexico.
   • Mi abuelo siempre se quejaba de la acedía después del almuerzo.
     (My grandfather always complained about heartburn after lunch.)
3. Agruras – Common in Mexico and some Latin American countries.
   • Evita el café si te da agruras.
     (Avoid coffee if it gives you heartburn.)

How to Ask Someone if They Have Reflux or Heartburn

If you need to ask a patient or someone else about reflux or heartburn, here are some phrases you can use:

• ¿Sufre de reflujo? (Do you suffer from reflux?)
• ¿Tiene reflujo gástrico? (Do you have acid reflux?)
• ¿Le da acidez después de comer? (Do you get heartburn after eating?)
• ¿Siente ardor en el pecho o en la garganta? (Do you feel a burning sensation in your chest or throat?)
• ¿Le dan agruras cuando come alimentos grasosos? (Do you get heartburn when you eat greasy foods?)

Example Conversations

✅ Doctor-Patient Conversation
👩‍⚕️ ¿Siente acidez o ardor después de comer?
👨‍⚕️ (Do you feel heartburn or burning after eating?)
🧑‍💼 Sí, especialmente cuando como comida frita o tomo café.
(Yes, especially when I eat fried food or drink coffee.)

✅ Casual Conversation
👨 No puedo comer chile porque me da agruras.
(I can’t eat chili because it gives me heartburn.)
👩 Tal vez deberías evitar los alimentos muy picantes.
(Maybe you should avoid very spicy foods.)