Gastroesophageal reflux disease (
GERD),
gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (
GORD),
gastric reflux disease,
acid reflux disease, or
reflux (in babies and young children) is a chronic condition of
mucosal damage caused by
stomach acid coming up from the
stomach into the
esophagus (chronic ). Occasional reflux causes
heartburn, but chronic reflux leads to reflux
esophagitis, GERD, and sometimes
Barrett esophagus.