Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. It is usually described as a sensation of burning or discomfort behind the breastbone and occurs most often after meals or when you lie down or bend over.

Regurgitation is the effortless return of gastric and/or esophageal contents into the pharynx, or throat. It can be associated with respiratory problems if gastric contents spill into the airways.

Dysphagia, the sensation that food is sticking in the esophagus, occurs in approximately one third of patients due to a mechanical stricture, or narrowing of the esophagus, or from abnormal esophageal peristalsis.

You may also experience cough and/or wheezing resulting from aspiration of gastric contents into the airway, similar to having food "go down the wrong tube." Approximately 50% of patients who have GERD-induced asthma do not experience heartburn.

Hoarseness results from irritation of the vocal cords by gastric reflux. It often is experienced in the morning.

Chest pain from gastric reflux accounts for about 50% of cases of non-heart-related chest pain. Patients often present to the emergency department with pain resembling myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

Other symptoms include:

• Belching
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Waterbrash (sudden excess of saliva)
• Laryngitis
• Inflammation of the gums
• Erosion of the enamel of the teeth
• Chronic irritation in the throat
• A sour taste
• Bad breath
• Chest pain

If you experience any of these symptoms or a combination of symptoms, you should talk with your doctor.