For whatever reason, green apples give me heartburn. I still eat them from time to time, but without fail, I feel a little bit of acid reflux after I do. Many people also suffer from occasional heartburn, though their respective food or foods that cause it can be quite different. However, when heartburn is a frequent problem, it might be something known as GERD.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (let's stick with GERD, shall we?) happens when stomach acid makes its way back into the esophagus, resulting in that slight burning sensation in your chest. What makes GERD different than the occasional instance of heartburn is that it is due to a slight bodily malfunction: the muscular valve where the esophagus meets up with the stomach is weak and/or does not close properly.

Left untreated, GERD can lead to many esophageal disorders, such as bleeding, damage to the tissue lining of the esophagus, and inflammation. In more extreme cases, it may even be a precursor to esophageal cancer. Signs of GERD, beyond those already stated, include chest pain, raspy or sore voice, bad breath, and difficulty swallowing.

If you have any of these symptoms, you may want to schedule an appointment with your physician or a GI specialist very soon.