When a small amount of partially digested food and stomach acid escapes back into the esophagus, a burning sensation, or heartburn, results. Occasional heartburn, especially following a large meal, is normal in healthy individuals. However, frequent episodes of heartburn potentially indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which, if left untreated, can damage the esophagus and organs of the oral cavity, and lead to respiratory problems and esophageal cancer. Symptoms of acid reflux disease in TCM include.

1. Pattern of Disharmony of Liver and Stomach
Main symptoms: sternum pain, distension in the chest and ribs, belching, sour regurgitation, poor appetite, difficult to defecate, red tongue, white and greasy coating, floating pulse.
　
2. Pattern of Accumulation of Liver and Stomach Heat
Main symptoms: sternum pain, distension in the chest and ribs, irritability, dry mouth and bitter taste, constipation, red tongue, yellow and greasy coating, slip pulse.
　　
3. Pattern of Improper Diet Damaging Digestion
Main symptoms: burning pain in the the upper abdomen or in the chest and ribs, stomach distension, heavy acid reflux, vomit, indigestion, red tongue, slip pulse.
　　
4. Pattern of Spleen and Stomach Damp-heat
Main symptoms: burning pain in the chest and ribs, stomach distension, nausea, indigestion and loss of appetite, red tongue, slip pulse.
　　
5. Pattern of Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Main symptoms: vomit, indigestion, heavy acid reflux, stomach distension, fatigue, aversion to cold, loose stool, pale complexion, light tongue, white and greasy coating, deep pulse.