Identifying Bile Reflux and GERD, Bile Reflux is one of the types of GERD. Usually bile reflux is the contents of the duodenum, including bile and pancreatic fluid, which may cause inflammation and bleeding of the gastric mucosa in the stomach and discomfort such as burning sensation to the stomach. GERD, on the other hand, is the return of stomach and duodenal contents to the esophagus with a variety of clinical symptoms, such as heartburn, retrosternal pain, or inflammation of the esophagus. Generally GERD is the process of returning stomach contents back to the esophagus, and common stomach contents include stomach acid, pepsin and food in the stomach. More commonly, bile is returned from the small intestine and some other gases form the main component of reflux. Therefore, bile reflux is one of the types of GERD. It is recommended that patients who want to recognize the difference between the two can consult a medical professional to make the distinction and need to seek medical attention if they are unwell.