How heartburn and gerd occur acid reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to back up into your esophagus this can cause heartburn and other signs and symptoms frequent or constant reflux can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd). Heartburn acid reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd) is the long-term, regular occurrence of acid reflux this can cause heartburn and tissue damage, among other symptoms smoking and obesity increase a person.
heartburn acid reflux disease