GERD

Remember, whether your physician talks to you about acid reflux disease or "GERD," both are names for the same disease and mean the same thing. GERD is simply short for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease.

Acid reflux disease, or GERD, can interfere with your lifestyle, disrupt your sleep, and have you worrying about long-term damage. There's the heartburn - the painful, burning sensation in your chest that's the most common symptom of the disease. Some people report chest pains, mistaking heartburn for a heart attack.

Other signs and symptoms can include difficulty swallowing that may make even a favorite meal hard to get down. Persistent belching and regurgitation are also common symptoms. In some people, the regurgitation of acid can also damage tooth enamel.

In certain cases, symptoms can resemble other respiratory conditions, such as sore throat, wheezing, chronic coughing, and hoarseness.