Unbelievably, the acidity in your stomach is much the same as the acid used in your car battery. Knowing that fact, it should come as no surprise, that heartburn is so painful when that same acid comes up into the oesophagus. In some cases, vomit arises resulting from a weakened or relaxed oesophageal valve. In other cases, the acid vapours cause tightness in the chest and temporarily disrupts oxygen flow to the heart, making many people fear they are having a heart attack. Every year, over four and a half million Americans visit their doctors with the symptoms of acid reflux GERD otherwise known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Acid reflux disease is sometimes referred to as gastroesophogeal reflux disease or GERD for short. However, what exactly is acid reflux GERD, and what can you do to ensure that you do not experience the symptoms?

Your stomach lining is tough as old boots. It is built to handle the most dangerous kind of acid - the sort that burns holes through fabric. However, your esophagus is made of soft tissue and can be easily damaged as acid comes back up in the form of heartburn.