Most people have heartburn every once in awhile. But if acid frequently escapes into your esophagus, the pain will be a regular part of your life. Heartburn is the most important symptom of GERD, but it's not the only one. Diet is a common culprit. Large meals, fatty foods, citrus or tomato-based foods, chocolate, peppermint, and caffeine can all make the LES valve open abnormally.
Alcohol can irritate the valve as well as the mucous membrane of the esophagus.
Pregnancy and obesity put extra strain on the valve, often causing frequent heartburn. Some people with severe, chronic heartburn have a hiatal hernia, a condition in which a small portion of the stomach slides up into the chest through the opening that the normal esophagus passes through. Believe it or not, the symptoms of a heart attack can closely mimic the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion, especially among women. Far too often, people with chest pain reach for an antacid when they should be calling 911. You can avoid a potentially fatal mixup by paying close attention to your symptoms.