Heartburn (burning sensation in the upper abdomen or chest) is the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Patients with GERD typically experience heartburn at least two or three times a week. However, people may also have GERD without experiencing heartburn.

Other less common symptoms associated with GERD include:

• Stomach pain
  
• Chest pain that does not burn
  
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), painful swallowing (odynophagia), food getting stuck or sense of lump in the throat
  
• Regurgitation of foods or acid taste in the throat
  
• Chronic laryngitis, hoarseness, sore throat, cough, sinusitis or pneumonia
  
• Asthma that occurs at night
  
• Waking up with a choking sensation

Patients experiencing any of the following symptoms should consult a physician:

• Heartburn that occurs several times a week
  
• Heartburn that returns shortly after the effects of taking an antacid wear off
  
• Heartburn that wakes the person during the night
  
• Symptoms that persist even after taking prescription medication
  
• Regurgitated blood
  
• Black stool
  
• Unexplained weight loss

Research also shows that people with GERD have an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups. COPD is a progressive lung disease characterized by coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties.