Lots of people are intimately familiar with acid reflux symptoms. More than 60 million Americans experience acid reflux at least once a month. Acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can produce a variety of symptoms.
Acid Reflux is a disease where acids or gastric juices go up from the stomach to the esophagus. This disease can affect a person’s daily quality of life and hamper various regular activities since most acid reflux symptoms can bring much discomfort. GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining (cause, cause esophagitis) of the esophagus although visible signs of inflammation occur in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. (Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of proteins in the stomach.) The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. (The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine that attaches to the stomach.) Acid is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed liquid. Pepsin and bile also may injure the esophagus, but their role in the production of esophageal inflammation and damage is not as clear as the role of acid.
What are the common acid reflux symptoms?
Some of the symptoms of acid reflux is the most common heartburn, regurgitation, and dyspepsia :
- - 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. Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, heartburn is a burning pain or discomfort that can move up from your stomach to the middle of your abdomen and chest. The pain can also move into your throat. Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect your heart.
- - Regurgitation
Another common symptom of acid reflux is regurgitation -- or the sensation of acid backing up into your throat or mouth. Regurgitation can produce a sour or bitter taste, and you may experience a "wet burp" or even vomit some contents of your stomach.
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.
- -Dyspepsia
Many people with acid reflux disease also have a syndrome called dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is a general term for stomach discomfort. Symptoms of dyspepsia include:
· Burping
· Nausea after eating
· Stomach fullness or bloating
· Upper abdominal pain and discomfort
Although acid reflux is extremely common and rarely serious, don't ignore your acid reflux symptoms. Making a few lifestyle changes and using over-the-counter antacids usually are all you need to control acid reflux symptoms.
When do acid reflux symptoms occur?
Acid reflux symptoms most often occur:
After eating a heavy meal; When bending over or lifting an object; When lying down, especially on your back.
People who have frequent acid reflux symptoms most often experience them at night. More than half of all pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy. Increased hormones and pressure from a growing fetus can combine to produce this acid reflux symptom. In most cases, heartburn goes away after delivery.
Most reflux during the day occurs after meals. This reflux probably is due to transient LES relaxations that are caused by distention of the stomach with food. A minority of patients with GERD, about 20%, has been found to have stomachs that empty abnormally slowly after a meal. The slower emptying of the stomach prolongs the distention of the stomach with food after meals. Therefore, the slower emptying prolongs the period of time during which reflux is more likely to occur.
What makes acid reflux symptoms worse?
Certain foods can make the symptoms of acid reflux worse. To lessen your symptoms, try avoiding:
· Citrus fruits
· Chocolate
· Caffeinated drinks or alcohol
· Spicy, fatty, or fried foods
· Garlic and onions
· Peppermint
· Tomatoes
When should I call the doctor with acid reflux symptoms?
Be sure to call your doctor if you don't get lasting relief from medications or if you have heartburn more than two times a week for more than two weeks. Also call the doctor if you have any "alarm" acid reflux symptoms, such as these:
· Weight loss
· Blood in vomit
· Black, tarry, or maroon-colored stools
· Difficulty or pain with swallowing
Other acid reflux symptoms that should prompt a call to your doctor include:
· Asthma-like symptoms, such as wheezing or dry cough
· Hoarseness, especially in the morning
· Chronic sore throat
· Hiccups that don't let up
· Nausea that lasts for weeks or months
Sometimes, people confuse the symptoms of heart attack with symptoms of acid reflux disease. That's because pain in the chest can feel like heartburn. When in doubt, call your doctor. Call 9-1-1 if you have any of these symptoms of heart attack:
· Chest pain, pressure, or fullness lasting more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back
· Pain or discomfort in your neck, shoulder, or jaw
· Shortness of breath, with or without chest pain
· Dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea
· Sweating along with chest pain.
Acid Reflux is a disease where acids or gastric juices go up from the stomach to the esophagus. This disease can affect a person’s daily quality of life and hamper various regular activities since most acid reflux symptoms can bring much discomfort. GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining (cause, cause esophagitis) of the esophagus although visible signs of inflammation occur in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. (Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of proteins in the stomach.) The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. (The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine that attaches to the stomach.) Acid is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed liquid. Pepsin and bile also may injure the esophagus, but their role in the production of esophageal inflammation and damage is not as clear as the role of acid.
What are the common acid reflux symptoms?
Some of the symptoms of acid reflux is the most common heartburn, regurgitation, and dyspepsia :
- - 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. Heartburn, also called acid indigestion, heartburn is a burning pain or discomfort that can move up from your stomach to the middle of your abdomen and chest. The pain can also move into your throat. Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect your heart.
- - Regurgitation
Another common symptom of acid reflux is regurgitation -- or the sensation of acid backing up into your throat or mouth. Regurgitation can produce a sour or bitter taste, and you may experience a "wet burp" or even vomit some contents of your stomach.
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.
- -Dyspepsia
Many people with acid reflux disease also have a syndrome called dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is a general term for stomach discomfort. Symptoms of dyspepsia include:
· Burping
· Nausea after eating
· Stomach fullness or bloating
· Upper abdominal pain and discomfort
Although acid reflux is extremely common and rarely serious, don't ignore your acid reflux symptoms. Making a few lifestyle changes and using over-the-counter antacids usually are all you need to control acid reflux symptoms.
When do acid reflux symptoms occur?
Acid reflux symptoms most often occur:
After eating a heavy meal; When bending over or lifting an object; When lying down, especially on your back.
People who have frequent acid reflux symptoms most often experience them at night. More than half of all pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy. Increased hormones and pressure from a growing fetus can combine to produce this acid reflux symptom. In most cases, heartburn goes away after delivery.
Most reflux during the day occurs after meals. This reflux probably is due to transient LES relaxations that are caused by distention of the stomach with food. A minority of patients with GERD, about 20%, has been found to have stomachs that empty abnormally slowly after a meal. The slower emptying of the stomach prolongs the distention of the stomach with food after meals. Therefore, the slower emptying prolongs the period of time during which reflux is more likely to occur.
What makes acid reflux symptoms worse?
Certain foods can make the symptoms of acid reflux worse. To lessen your symptoms, try avoiding:
· Citrus fruits
· Chocolate
· Caffeinated drinks or alcohol
· Spicy, fatty, or fried foods
· Garlic and onions
· Peppermint
· Tomatoes
When should I call the doctor with acid reflux symptoms?
Be sure to call your doctor if you don't get lasting relief from medications or if you have heartburn more than two times a week for more than two weeks. Also call the doctor if you have any "alarm" acid reflux symptoms, such as these:
· Weight loss
· Blood in vomit
· Black, tarry, or maroon-colored stools
· Difficulty or pain with swallowing
Other acid reflux symptoms that should prompt a call to your doctor include:
· Asthma-like symptoms, such as wheezing or dry cough
· Hoarseness, especially in the morning
· Chronic sore throat
· Hiccups that don't let up
· Nausea that lasts for weeks or months
Sometimes, people confuse the symptoms of heart attack with symptoms of acid reflux disease. That's because pain in the chest can feel like heartburn. When in doubt, call your doctor. Call 9-1-1 if you have any of these symptoms of heart attack:
· Chest pain, pressure, or fullness lasting more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back
· Pain or discomfort in your neck, shoulder, or jaw
· Shortness of breath, with or without chest pain
· Dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea
· Sweating along with chest pain.
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