Heartburn, as its name implies, is a burning sensation that is centered over the area of the heart. However, it has nothing to do with heart problems. This is the same area occupied by the esophagus and this is roughly where heartburn occurs. It is usually worse after eating, especially when lying down. Occasional heartburn can be treated without a doctor's advice by simple over-the-counter remedies, but more long term heartburn should be investigated by a doctor.

Often, with acid reflux, the most severe and persistent complaint is heartburn. Any severe chest pain should be evaluated by a physician to determine the cause of the pain is, in fact, heartburn and not cardiac related pain, such as infarction or angina. With acid reflux disease, chest pain most often presents at night because of the postural changes as noted above.

The second most common symptom is dyspepsia, a chronic or recurrent pain centered in the upper abdomen. As with other acid reflux symptoms, the extent or expression of dyspepsia is varied and does not indicate the extent of damage to the esophagus. This pain may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, or may express itself as only a sensation of fullness in the stomach. Again, dyspepsia may be present without reflux.

Among the most common acid reflux symptoms is a sudden feeling of the stomach contents rising up the esophagus back into the throat or even the mouth. This is the second most distressing symptom sufferers experience, and is called regurgitation. At times, the contents may actually be burped or vomited, and nausea may accompany the symptoms. However, occasional regurgitation, especially in children, does not, in itself, indicate reflux disease.

There are many symptoms of acid reflux disease. Some of the less common ones may include coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, sore throat, stuffy head, or hiccups. Chronic nausea may also be present and may persist off and on for months. These are not the usual symptoms of acid reflux but may be present in certain cases and should be considered as warning signs.

Fortunately, a diagnosis of acid reflux disease is usually easily made by a primary care physician. For more complicated situations or when the doctor is unsure, a trial dosage of medication to temporarily stop secretion of stomach acid will almost always produce a clear diagnosis. All differential diagnosis that are suggested by the myriad of symptoms of reflux disease should be ruled out before a definitive diagnosis is reached.