For people who suffer from persistent heartburn two or more days a week, the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a strong possibility. People of all ages suffer from mild heartburn or acidic regurgitation on occasion. Even infants can suffer from heartburn due to the fact that they consume only liquids or soft foods. However, frequent, persistent heartburn is the primary symptom associated with acid reflux disease or GERD.

While many suffer from an occasional bout with heartburn, the diagnosis of acid reflux disease, should only be made if the heartburn causes impediments to one's lifestyle due to severe, chronic discomfort over prolonged periods of time. Usually, if one suffers from heartburn 2 or more times per week for at least 12 weeks, there's a good chance that your diagnosis would be GERD.

There are a number of potential causes of GERD as well as problems that may masquerade as GERD.

An ulcer may cause problems similar to a diagnosis of GERD and if correctly diagnosed may discount the possibility of acid reflux disease. Most often a doctor can not diagnosis the exact cause of a chronic condition of painful heartburn without further monitoring of the condition.

Chewing gum and eating hard sweets can cause excessive air to be swallowed, thus causing gas and reflux. This occurs because of the potential incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle. Consequently, acidic contents from the stomach reflux up into the esophagus, which results in the familiar burning sensation of heartburn.

Acid reflux symptoms can include a multitude of symptoms including recurrent coughing, wheezing, breathing problems, bad breath, chest pain, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry coughing, interrupted sleep, tightness in the throat, and halitosis (bad breath).

Acid reflux can also lead to a most unpleasant symptom--regurgitation of acid into the mouth.

Some patients who are unable to control their symptoms with non-prescription medication may either choose prescription antacids or surgery, or opt for a combination of the two.

But some experts feel that a natural approach to combating and preventing acid reflux may be a better and safer bet.

It has been shown that for many people, the addition of natural enzyme support at mealtime can be very effective in combating heartburn. Pepsin is one such natural enzyme that can be very effective in breaking down proteins. Other digestive enzymes can target fats, carbohydrates, lactose (milk sugars) etc.

One of the most important things one can do to prevent symptoms of heartburn is to avoid certain foods. The avoidance of coffee, alcohol, spicy foods may be necessary for long-term control of acid reflux symptoms and treatment of the condition.

Losing weight is a particularly effective help for many people who are seeking answers.

Another way to alleviate symptoms of acid reflux disease is to try to more effectively manage stress, which can cause the body to produce more acid, often causing a flare-up.

The symptoms of both heart problems and acid reflux are very similar, but the treatment is obviously very different. Fortunately GERD can be cured, but the treatment depends on how far the disease has advanced. With major improvement in the understanding, diagnosis and management of acid reflux, family doctors and gastroenterologists have a greater variety of options for treatment of acid reflux. Also, with the understanding that many natural approaches are effective in dealing with acid reflux problems, more and more people are gaining control on a problematic malady.