Good Health & Fitness

Acid reflux symptoms manifest in patients with GERD or acid reflux, a condition that occurs when the tube transporting food into the stomach becomes too weak to handle the acid produced, stored, and used by the stomach to digest the food a person eats. In order to store the acid produced without causing damage to the digestive system, the stomach walls must have enough strength. However, patients may experience some symptoms when the stomach pushes the acid to the esophagus. To give you knowledge about this condition, this article presents some of the acid reflux symptoms.

Acid Refux Symptoms:

1. Heartburn – one of the main acid reflux symptoms, this burning sensation radiating from the stomach to the chest and throat is said to be experienced more often at night. This is supported by a certain medical study which also states that some activities may lead to the occurrence of heartburn, including the following:

· After eating a heavy meal;
· Lifting;
· Bending over;
· Lying down on the back

2. Dyspepsia – Half of those diagnosed with GERD can experience dyspepsia through the following conditions:

· Pain and discomfort particularly in the upper part of the abdomen;
· Nausea after eating;
· Feeling of fullness

However, it is important to remember that it is possible to have dyspepsia without having acid reflux.

3. Regurgitation – this condition is described as the feeling of acid backed up in the throat. It is sometimes called “wet burp” when the acid is pushed to the mouth. If the acid is forced back to the mouth, it causes the feeling of throwing up..

Less Common Acid Reflux Symptoms:

Many patients with acid reflux do not experience the main acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. The symptoms may instead appear or experienced in other locations. Here are some of the less common acid reflux symptoms:

1. Chest Pain or Sensations – this is the sensation or feeling that the food is trapped and can’t move from behind the breastbone. While this signals acid reflux, it is important to know that it is different from chest pain due to some heart conditions, like heart attack and angina.

2. Throat Acid Reflux Symptoms including the following:

· Acid laryngitis – this condition is characterized by dry cough, hoarseness, feeling of lump in the throat, and the need to clear the throat repeatedly
· Dysphagia (trouble swallowing) – in some cases, acid reflux may cause the patient to choke or have difficulty in swallowing the food, thereby causing severe chest pain.
· Persistent hiccups
· Chronic sore throat

3. Respiratory Symptoms and Coughing – Wheezing and coughing may also occur. In one medical study, acid reflux alone accounted for around 40% of chronic cough cases in non-smoking patients.

4. Chronic Nausea and Throwing Up – constant occurrence of nausea that often leads to vomiting or throwing up may also be one of the acid reflux symptoms. However, this isn’t always the cause as nausea and vomiting may also signal other medical conditions like gallbladder and pancreatic disorders, ulcers, and stomach cancers. Thus, it is necessary to always consult with your doctor whenever this symptom is experienced.