Common
Acid Reflux Symptoms
Most of the symptoms of acid reflux are related to the cause of acid
reflux. Acid reflux occurs when acid and other materials in the stomach
back up--reflux--into the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food
from the throat to the stomach.
Acid reflux is associated with several unpleasant symptoms. It should be
noted that these acid reflux symptoms do not occur every meal or even
every day. They may even disappear for a few weeks, but they eventually
come back. Once acid reflux is diagnosed, it is considered a lifelong
condition and should be treated as such. Some of the more common acid
reflux symptoms include:
Heartburn
When people think of acid reflux symptoms, most of them think of
heartburn first. Heartburn is an unpleasant burning sensation in the
chest. It may occur after a large meal, or when you are lying down
trying to rest. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid literally burning
the esophagus.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation is an acid reflux symptom that occurs when the stomach
acid backs all the way into the throat and mouth. It usually causes a
bitter taste and a painful, burning sensation in the throat. Some
sufferers even report small pieces of food coming back up into the
mouth.
Nausea
A less common symptom of acid reflux is nausea. Acid reflux is often
suspected when there is no other obvious cause for nausea.
Dysphagia Or Odynophagia
Dysphagia is an acid reflux symptom that refers to difficulty
swallowing. People feel that the food gets "stuck" somewhere in the
esophagus. Odynophagia refers to painful swallowing. The pain can be so
intense that some people become afraid of eating. These two symptoms of
acid reflux usually occur after the reflux has been going on long enough
to damage the esophagus.
Problems Breathing
Material in the esophagus may be sucked--"aspirated"--into the lungs
where it can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and pneumonia.
Oral Symptoms
Acid refluxed from the stomach into the mouth can irritate the gums and
cause tooth decay as well as an unpleasant taste and the feeling of
excessive saliva in the mouth.
Barrett's Esophagus
Finally, acid reflux that has been going on unchecked can eventually
cause the cells that line the esophagus to change. These changes are
known as Barrett's Esophagus and will develop into cancer in about 10%
of patients. People with Barrett's Esophagus should undergo periodic
exams and should continue to receive aggressive treatment for their acid
reflux.
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