What is acid reflux? Most commonly referred to as heartburn, acid reflux can be so severe it is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack. Basically, gastroesophageal reflux disease, (GERD) is when liquids in the stomach are pushed back into the esophagus and the stomach acid causes irritation and burning to the esophageal lining.

Where the esophagus connects to the stomach, the lower esophagus sphincter is supposed to restrict fluids to go only one way, which is down . Sometimes, acid in the stomach will go up back into the esophagus and will irritate this lining. This can cause a burning sensation and, depending on how much acid has been refluxed out of the stomach, can cause severe burning in the chest, as well as other symptoms that can mimic a heart attack.


Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux symptoms often include heartburn or a burning sensation in the chest. The symptoms are also a regurgitation action and sometimes nausea. The symptoms are the result of acid regurgitating from the stomach into the esophagus. The stomach is made to sustain the effects of this acid, but the esophagus is not. The esophagus feels like it is burning when the acid touches the lining of this organ.

In some serious acid reflux cases, your doctor may prescribe surgery. Surgery is usually only performed as a last result, only after medication has failed to work. The most common form of surgery for acid reflux is a procedure called Fundoplication.