Conditions that may have symptoms similar to those caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include:

• Peptic ulcer disease, in which crater-shaped sores develop when the digestive juices produced by the stomach damage and erode the lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum).
• Infections of the esophagus, such as a yeast infection (candida) or a viral infection caused by the herpes virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or cytomegalovirus (CMV).
• Inflammation of the lining of the esophagus (esophagitis) caused by taking certain medicines.
• Problems with the way the esophagus functions (esophageal motor disorders).
• Coronary artery disease (CAD), which is caused by the buildup of plaque on the inside of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to heart muscle.
• Cancer of the esophagus.
• Crohn's disease, which causes inflammation and ulcers that may affect the deepest layers of the lining of the digestive tract. This can sometimes affect the esophagus.