A small amount of acid reflux is typical even in healthy people (as with infrequent and minor heartburn), but gastroesophageal reflux becomes gastroesophageal reflux disease when signs … · Gastroesophageal reflux disease happens when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus and causes heartburn. It's often called GERD for short. This backwash is … Overview of symptoms and causes of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Symptoms include heartburn and regurgitation.