A painful, burning sensation in your chest, right behind the breastbone, could be heartburn, which is caused by a backup of your stomach contents into the food tube, or esophagus. Many people experience heartburn from time to time -- but if this occurs frequently, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Acid reflux, commonly referred to as heartburn, is a common digestive complaint. Acid reflux involves digestive juice splashing out of the stomach and into the esophagus, where it causes irritation, inflammation and pain.

Acid reflux describes a condition where partly digested food in the stomach mixed with digestive juices, namely hydrochloric acid, backs up into the esophagus through the esophageal sphincter.

Both colic and reflux can test a new parent's stamina and patience, but the conditions have very different symptoms. Colic is characterized by general irritability late in the afternoon. A colicky baby is content in the morning, but seems to wind up as the day progresses.

If you have trouble swallowing and also experience symptoms of acid reflux, contact your doctor to determine if the two problems are linked. Typically, people who have minor problems with acid reflux don’t have difficulty swallowing.

A raspy, breathy voice may be sexy in the movies, but chronic hoarseness, perhaps along with postnasal drip or a dry cough, could signal a problem known as laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR. Acid reflux that reaches your throat and larynx, or voice box, can cause inflammation and ulcers known as vocal cord granulomas.

Acid reflux -- also known as gastroesophageal reflux, acid indigestion or heartburn -- affects more than 60 million people in the United States, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Although multivitamins aren’t a common trigger, they can aggravate the problem.

If you’ve had symptoms of GERD in the past, chances are you’ll have them again.

Alpha-lipoic acid, sometimes referred to as ALA, is an antioxidant produced in small amounts by the body. It helps cells generate energy and purifies metabolic waste products called free radicals.

Cells within the stomach, known as the parietal cells, are responsible for the production and secretion of gastric acid. This acid is critical for breaking down food and for activating enzymes which are needed for digestion.

When your stomach hurts, everything you do is that much harder. The pain itself is distracting, as is worry over finding the cause. Acid reflux and ulcers are common ailments that can sometimes be confused, because both cause pain in the stomach area.

Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease, is the third most common gastrointestinal disorder in the United States. Symptoms can worsen while you are sleeping and cause you to wake up coughing or choking. Because acid reflux is so disruptive, it’s essential to understand how you can treat it at bedtime.