Acid Reflux Symptoms

Introduction

Heartburn is one of the primary indicators or symptoms of Acid Reflux disease. This disease is also known as the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

Burning sensation

The burning sensation starts from the stomach and moves up to the chest and throat. Some of the studies reveal that almost seventy five percent of the patients experience the symptoms during the night. It has also been found that those patients, who experience this condition at night, also tend to get pain which is known to be more severe than the pain experienced by patients at other times. Studies also reveal that the severity of the pain experienced by patients during the night is reportedly similar to the pain reported by patients suffering from angina and cases of congestive heart failure. However the severity of the pain does not indicate the actual damage, if any, to the oesophagus and at the same time people with no apparent injury to the oesophagus can also suffer from severe heartburn.  There are some patients who do not experience symptoms of heartburn but there symptoms which might be felt in other locations of the body.  Some patients may experience sensations in the chest. They might feel as if some food particles are trapped behind the breast bone. However, chest pain is a common symptom and it is important that it be recognised and differentiated from the pain caused by angina or heart attack.

Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is also one of the symptoms that are visible in almost fifty percent of the GERD patients.  This syndrome can be recognised when the patient feels nausea after having meals, pain and discomfort in the upper abdomen or feeling of fullness in the stomach.   It must also be noted that the patient can have only Dyspepsia syndrome without suffering from GERD.

There are times when you feel the acids in the stomach coming up into the throat and even as far as the mouth. You experience the 'wet burp' and sometimes you might vomit. This is Regurgitation, one of the symptoms of Acid Reflux.

 

Other Symptoms

There are other symptoms which are not so common like acid laryngitis, dysphagia, persistent hiccups and chronic sore throat. All these symptoms are related to the Throat. Acid Laryngitis is recognised because of dry cough, hoarseness, the feeling of having a lump in the throat and the constant need for clearing the throat. Dysphasia is a condition which makes swallowing food difficult; sometimes the food may be stuck in the gullet causing severe pain in the chest. One might even choke on the food. This situation may come about because of the temporary narrowing of the food pipe due to a spasm or it can also be an indication of serious damage or an abnormality of the oesophagus.  Some of the studies showed that around forty two percent of the patients also suffer from asthmatic symptoms like coughing and wheezing. In some cases patients also suffer from chronic nausea and vomiting. This of course, can also be due to causes other than acid reflux. You can learn about symptoms from reliable government websites.

Other problems due to Acid Reflux

There are sometimes other problems that are associated with Acid Reflux. Like when the damage to the food pipe or oesophagus, due to the acid irritation, becomes extensive, the condition is known as erosive esophagitis while the condition when the acid just causes inflammation of the food pipe, it is known as esophagitis. Some of the patients sometimes develop a serious complication due to acid reflux, called Barrett's Oesophagus which results in precancerous changes in the lining tissue of the food pipe. The Eosinophilic Esophagitis is a condition which sometimes occurs with Acid Reflux where the food pipe lining develops rings and furrows which makes it painful and difficult to swallow food.

The best way to overcome Acid Reflux is to bring about changes in lifestyle. These changes must include eating less food, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol, keeping the head elevated while sleeping, giving enough time for the food to assimilate before lying down and bringing about an overall health consciousness. Acid reflux problems are best avoided by a healthy life style.