Symptoms

The main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include:

• Persistent heartburn. Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling or burning pain behind the breastbone. It may occur after you eat, soon after you lie down, or when you bend forward.
• A sour or bitter taste in the mouth. The backflow of stomach acid and juices into the esophagus may cause this sour or bitter taste.

Heartburn caused by GERD is usually felt within 2 hours after you eat. If your heartburn lasts for several hours—for example, all night—you may have severe GERD. Some people have GERD without heartburn.

Other symptoms of GERD may include:

• Chest pain. This may be a dull, heavy discomfort that spreads across the chest. This chest pain may occur with heartburn and may be confused with the pain of a heart attack. For more information on chest pain and heart attack, see the topic Chest Problems.
• Hoarseness.
• Trouble swallowing. This is more common with advanced GERD.
• A feeling that you have something stuck in your throat.
• A cough.
• Having extra saliva.
• Nausea.

What Happens

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause irritation or inflammation in the esophagus. This condition is called esophagitis. GERD without esophagitis is sometimes called nonerosive reflux disease.

If you have mild GERD symptoms—an uncomfortable feeling of burning, warmth, heat, or pain just behind the breastbone—you may be able to treat yourself with nonprescription medicines that reduce or block acid. For more information, see Medications.

Advanced GERD can cause complications such as:

• Severe inflammation of the lining of the esophagus (esophagitis), esophageal erosion, and ulcers.
• Narrowing of the esophagus.
• Barrett's esophagus, in which the cells that line the inside of the esophagus are replaced by cells similar to those that line the inside of the stomach and intestine. Barrett's esophagus is not common, but it can lead to cancer of the esophagus.
• Respiratory problems, such as a persistent cough, asthma, pneumonia, and laryngitis.
• The speeding up of tooth decay, because stomach acid gets into the mouth and wears away tooth enamel.

Some people who have GERD may be at increased risk for cancer of the esophagus.