Common
Acid Reflux Symptoms
Most of the acid reflux symptoms are related to the cause of acid
reflux, which is the back up of acid and other materials from the stomach
into the esophagus. While the signs or symptoms of acid reflux disease
may be unpleasant, it should be noted that these acid reflux symptoms
may not happen everyday or after every meal. It's possible that the the
acid reflux disease symptoms may disappear for a few weeks and then come
back again.
The signs or symptoms of acid reflux includes:
- Heartburn / Chest Pain
- Sore Throat
- Regurgitation
- Nausea
- Dysphagia Or Odynophagia
- Problems Breathing
- Oral Symptoms
- Barrett's Esophagus
Chest Pain And Heartburn
The most common sign or symptom of acid reflux disease is chest pain and
heartburn.
Acid reflux and chest pain is one
of the most common association. It is an unpleasant burning sensation in the
chest. This feeling may last for a few hours and become worse if the
person lies down after a meal. The burning sensation can also move up
into the throat area, together with a sour taste in the mouth, as if the
food in the stomach has come back to the throat.
It should be noted that many people mistaken the early symptoms of a
heart attack as heartburn and this can be very dangerous. As such, it is
important for you to learn to
differentiate between heartburn and heart attack.
Sore Throat
Sore throat is another very common sign or symptom of the acid
reflux disease. If
acid reflux and sore throat happen simultaneously, it
is an indication that you should seek professional advice.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation is the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach
through the mouth. It is another common acid reflux disease symptom. It
happens when the stomach
acid and contents back all the way into the throat and mouth. The
sufferer usually experience a
bitter taste and a painful, burning sensation in the throat. Some
sufferers may even experience small pieces of food coming back up into the
mouth.
Nausea
Nausea is a less common sign or symptom of acid reflux disease. Acid reflux is often
suspected when there is no other obvious cause for nausea.
Dysphagia Or Odynophagia
Dysphagia is a condition in which swallowing is difficult or painful.
The sufferer usually feel that the food is "stuck" somewhere in the esophagus. Odynophagia refers to
severe pain on swallowing due to a disorder of the oesophagus. The pain can be so
strong that the sufferer may become afraid of eating.
Dysphagia and odynophagia are symptoms of
chronic acid reflux, usually occur after the reflux has been going on
for a long time. The cause of such symptoms is due to damage of the esophagus
as a result of long term acid reflux disease.
Problems Breathing
This happens when material in the esophagus get sucked or aspirated into the lungs.
This can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and pneumonia.
Oral Symptoms
Acid refluxed from the stomach into the mouth can irritate the gums, cause tooth decay
and create an unpleasant taste and the feeling of
excessive saliva in the mouth.
Barrett's Esophagus
Last but not least, repeated acid reflux occurrence can cause physical
changes to the lining of the esophagus. These changes are
known as Barrett's Esophagus. About 10% of Barrett's Esophagus cases will develop into
esophagus cancer. People suffering from Barrett's Esophagus should undergo
regular
examinations and should receive continual and aggressive acid reflux
treatment.
|
