Affecting more than 14 million adults in the U.S., gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is caused by a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES) between the esophagus and stomach that allows bile and acid from the stomach to reflux back up into the esophagus, causing heart burn and irritation of the esophagus. GERD symptoms can be triggered by certain acidic foods or merely by simple exercise, such as leaning over to start a lawnmower.

Heartburn and acid regurgitation are the most common symptoms of GERD.
Others include:
Difficulty swallowing
Coughing
Sore throat
Hoarseness
Chest pain
Sleep disturbance
Breathing difficulties

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that those with at least one weekly
occurrence of heartburn are eight times more likely to develop esophageal cancer. Most
GERD sufferers must take daily doses of medication for a lifetime.