Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the stomach content goes up into the esophagus repeatedly. Many people have experienced this symptom but are not bothered by it. In more severe cases, apart from the discomfort caused by the irritation of the acidic content, inflammations and ulcers in distal esophagus occur due to chronic exposure.

The classical symptom of GERD is heartburn, described as a burning sensation in the chest. However, different people may have different feelings or descriptions of their symptoms. Especially in the Chinese population, the concept of ‘heartburn’ is not present and most patients would complain of some kind of discomfort over the area.

Prolonged severe GERD can cause extensive damage to the esophagus, leading to narrowing of the esophagus or tissue changes predisposing to cancer.