When the muscle that is supposed to prevent stomach acid from escaping up into the esophagus gets to weak to do its job and the acid keeps on gushing back to the esophagus, that is called acid reflux. It is a lot like heart burn but a lot more uncomfortable as generally there is much more acids and pepsins pushing back to the esophagus.

Title : Stop the Heartburn: What You Can Do to Reduce Your Symptoms of One of Americas Most Common Health Problems
Author : David Utley
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Everything you ever wanted to know about your heartburn
I began searching for educational materials on heartburn after I had lived with it for several years and had poured all kinds of antiacids into my stomach. This book is very informative, explaining the causes, treatments, and even the long-range effects of continuing heartburn. It educated me to where I was able to discuss my condition knowledgeably with my physician and had no "fear of the unknown" when it came time to begin treatment.
To relieve the burning sensations caused by acid reflux, you can use antacids as a short term relief, even though they don’t offer much long term relief.
People can change their diets to actually eliminate or reduce the effects of Acid Reflux. A proper routine can be made to reduce the problem which generally causes due to the irregular habits of eating or eating more junk food and also from excessive drinking. These bad habits cause a rise in the stomach acids, which in turn adds more pressure on the muscle that is trying to stop the stomach acid from escaping.

Title : No More Heartburn
Author : Sherry A. Rogers
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Simple, Effective Methods of Permanently Stopping Heartburn!
Did you know that taking antacids (even prescription acid blockers) can make your heartburn worse? If you didn't know that, reach for this book instead of your medications the next time heartburn strikes.
For years, I suffered from bloating, gas, acid stomach, acid reflux and all sorts of other unpleasant side effects. I'd just about given up hope when I first read about Candida yeast infections. Then, examining my diet, I realized that I might have a stomach and intestinal tract full of Candida. I followed a Candida elimination diet . . . and kissed all of those symptoms good-bye . . . never to return.
The advice in this book is the best single source I have seen on how to diagnose why you have heartburn and related symptoms . . . and how to treat yourself without medications to restore a healthy balance to your system.
We are taught by advertisers to think that acid in our stomachs is the enemy -- not true! Acid in our stomachs is the first line of defense we have against infection while being the primary way that we break down foods so we can absorb healthy nutrients.
When we have trouble with acid, it's usually because our stomach lining has been compromised by a bacterial or yeast infection . . . which is most easily killed by having more stomach acid. If we stop or neutralize stomach acid, we just let the infection get worse.
For those of you who like to work with your physicians, this book also tells you what tests to ask for and how to interpret the results. It's a credible source, too, because Dr. Rogers is a well-known expert on environmental medicine who knows a lot more about these subjects that your physician probably does.
What will your solutions be? It's hard to tell, but you are likely to have food allergies, sensitivities to other substances, a lack of helpful bacteria from too many antibiotics and an unhealthy diet. Change what you eat and consume according to the suggested order in this book, and you can make rapid progress towards finding something that will permanently eliminate your problem. Dr. Rogers also has lots of suggestions for how to achieve temporary relief while you are curing the sources of your heartburn.
Is it important to stop heartburn? Yes! Your acid reflux can eventually cause cancer of your esophagus. Don't let that happen.