Other than heartburn, another common symptom of GERD is acid regurgitation, which is the sensation that occurs when acid travels all the way up from the stomach, past both the lower and upper esophageal sphincters, into the mouth. Many people have experienced the sour taste in the mouth caused by regurgitation. In an effort to clear the acid that is refluxing, many people swallow repeatedly; but this results in air being swallowed along with saliva. This swallowing of air can produce gaseous distention of the stomach and the GERD symptom of excessive belching. Repeated belching brings up even more acid, in a vicious cycle of acid reflux, air swallowing, and belching.
When acid is refluxed into the esophagus, the salivary glands may produce large volumes of alkaline, foamy or frothy secretions in an attempt to neutralize the stomach acid. Because of he amount of saliva involved and the suddenness with which it appears in the mouth, this phenomenon, called water brash, can be starting. The saliva in water brash may taste slightly salty.
While heartburn, regurgitation, and water brash are considered the classic symptoms of GERD, a less common but also typical symptom of GERD involves swallowing difficulties. Some people feel as if they are having trouble swallowing at all, and some people feel pain when they swallow.