Other symptoms of acid reflux disease

In addition to heartburn, you may have experienced a bad taste in your throat or belching.

Bad taste in your throat (yuck!)

You know the taste—that sour, bitter liquid in the back of your throat. The proper name for this symptom is regurgitation. It often causes a burning sensation because the liquid that backs up into your throat actually contains stomach acid.

If stomach acid doesn’t stay where it belongs—in your stomach—and gives you a bad taste in your throat, it’s because the valve at the end of your esophagus (the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES) is not closing properly at the right time.

Belching (excuse you!)

Also known as burping, belching simply means that your body is bringing up air from the stomach.

Every time you swallow and bring in air, the air builds up in your upper stomach. This causes your stomach to stretch, which triggers the LES to relax. When that happens, air escapes up your esophagus and out of your mouth. And we know too well what sound that makes.

Next: When to See Your Doctor