Acid Reflux Symptoms
Are You Suffering from
These Acid Reflux Symptoms?
Do you frequently feel a burning pain in the lower part of your
chest after enjoying a meal? Do you often suffer from nausea after eating? How about the sensation of food coming back to your mouth with a
sour aftertaste? If you find yourself experiencing these acid reflux symptoms, you might be suffering from gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD) or more commonly known as acid reflux.
To find out if you are suffering from acid reflux disease, here is a short list of the most common acid reflux symptoms you should be aware of:
- Heartburn. Heartburn, also known as
acid indigestion, is the most common among acid reflux symptoms, occurring when the normal process of digestion goes wrong and causing a
burning discomfort around the middle of the chest. Although a common indication of acid reflux, the occasional heartburn isn’t
necessarily a serious health problem. However, when heartburn occurs frequently and is accompanied by complications such as weight loss,
blood loss, and sore throat, as well as other acid reflux symptoms, the condition can be a cause of alarm for GERD.
- Chest Pains. According to clinical
studies almost 50% of patients who suffer from non-cardiac chest pains are likely manifesting acid reflux symptoms. It is characterized
by severe, acute pain usually described by patients as sharp, constricting, crushing, stabbing, and knife-like sensations that are
commonly mistaken for a heart attack. This distressing and long-lasting pain that is usually accompanied by heartburn begins from the pit
of the stomach and radiates to the back, neck, jaw, and arms. Since it is usually mistaken for a heart attack, it is therefore important
for patients exhibiting chronic severe chest pains to rule out other possible diagnosis before considering the condition as a
manifestation of acid reflux symptoms to avoid any misdiagnosis.
- Acid Regurgitation. Regurgitation is
another common indication of acid reflux symptoms. It occurs when gastric contents make their way back to the mouth usually due to a
weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It occurs immediately after swallowing and is usually accompanied by an acidy taste in your
throat. During regurgitation only small amounts of liquid usually return to the mouth. The problem, however, is when the regurgitated
liquid is accompanied by food and other gastric acids, which damages the esophagus and breaks down tooth enamel, indicating
GERD.
- Dyspepsia. With almost half of GERD
patients manifesting this condition, dyspepsia is considered as among the common acid reflux symptoms. Characterized by frequent nausea
and the regular sensation of feeling bloated after eating, this syndrome can also cause pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen of
patients.
- Dysphagia. Another common
manifestation of acid reflux symptoms is dysphagia. Reportedly experienced by 30% of GERD patients, the condition is characterized by a
difficulty in swallowing especially if food gets caught in the esophagus and usually occurs during a long-standing heartburn. Depending
on the condition, patients experiencing dysphagia can relieve their discomfort by drinking a lot of liquids to dislodge the food caught
in the esophagus, or in worse cases, removed the lodged food with an endoscopy.
Aside from these common acid reflux symptoms, GERD patients can
also exhibit other uncommon indications, which they should also be aware of. These can include asthma, chronic coughs, wearing down of tooth
enamel and an increase in cavities, gingivitis, chronic sore throat and the constant need to clear the throat, chronic sinus infections,
constant bad breath, and vomiting.
However, patients should also remember that their problems with
GERD do not end with the acid reflux symptoms already mentioned. Aside from these indications, acid reflux symptoms, if left untreated, can also lead to more severe complications including ulcers, strictures, Barrett’s
Esophagus, and in some situations, even lung infections. It is therefore important for patients who suspect they might be suffering from GERD
to consult their physicians immediately.
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