The condition affects nearly everyone once in a while. In fact, one in five adult Americans experience heartburn on a weekly basis. GERD is caused by reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. When you eat, a valve at the lower end of your esophagus relaxes and opens to admit food and liquids into the stomach. The valve then closes to prevent stomach acid from washing back up the esophagus.
Acid reflux occurs when the normal one-way valve weakens and opens both ways.
Some patients also may experience regurgitation of food or gastric contents, painful swallowing and chest pain. Other symptoms can include sore throat, wheezing, coughing, sinusitis, laryngitis and erosions on the enamel of your teeth. In addition, stomach acid can be regurgitated into the lungs, causing asthma, sleep disorders and other serious conditions. When untreated, GERD can damage the lining of the esophagus and vocal chords and cause ulcers. In some patients, this damage can result in scarring and narrowing of the esophagus, making swallowing difficult.