Gastroesophageal reflux disease has many different symptoms that patients can experience. The most common symptoms include heartburn, identified by a burning sensation in the chest, typically after eating, as well as chest pain, difficulty swallowing, feeling like there is a lump in the throat and regurgitation of sour-tasting liquid or food. Symptoms can be worse at night, particularly heartburn. People who experience acid reflux at night may have additional symptoms such as laryngitis, disrupted sleep, chronic cough and worsening or newly developed asthma. In most cases, symptoms of GERD can be treated using over-the-counter medications for heartburn. If you are taking heartburn medications more than twice a week or your GERD symptoms are happening frequently or are severe, it is a good idea to make an appointment with your primary care physician or one of the doctors at Diamond Gastroenterology. If you are experiencing chest pain, seek immediate medical care, especially if it is accompanied by shortness of breath or pain in the jaw or arm. While chest pain can be a symptom of GERD, it can also be a sign of a heart attack.