Signs and Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease: How to Know If You Have It

Signs and Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease: How to Know If You Have It

Acid reflux disease, also known as GERD or hyperacidity, is a condition where the stomach contents come up into the throat. The acidic juices of the stomach irritate the mucus membrane of the esophagus and cause pain, inflammation, and difficulty swallowing. 

In most cases, acid reflux disease resolves by itself without any specific treatment. However, in some cases, it may become chronic, triggering complications such as erosion of the esophagus or ulcers in its walls. 

• Acid reflux disease signs and symptoms include the following:
• Frequent heartburn, which feels like burning behind your sternum or under your breastbone
• Sour taste in your throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty digesting fatty foods
• Fatigue after eating a meal
• Excess gas and bloating after eating a meal
• Feeling full faster than usual after eating a meal
• A bitter taste in the back of your mouth or throat that goes away once you finish eating.

What Are the Common Acid Reflux Symptoms?

Heartburn is the most common acid reflux symptom. It feels like burning behind your sternum or under your breastbone. Heartburn is often worse at night or after eating. The sour taste in the throat is another common symptom of acid reflux disease. It doesn’t go away, even after drinking water or eating something. Nausea, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing are less common acid reflux symptoms. 

Nausea occurs when the esophagus is inflamed. Vomiting is caused by the regurgitation of stomach contents. When vomiting happens, you should seek medical advice because it might be an indication of a more serious problem. Nausea and vomiting are caused by the same factors that cause heartburn: acid production by the stomach, food being too acidic, poor esophageal sphincter relaxation, or eating too fast.

What Makes Acid Reflux Symptoms Worse?

• Poor food choices, such as heavy greasy foods, spicy foods, dairy products like cheese, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco
• Certain medications that promote acid production in the stomach
• Consuming too much at one time
• Restless sleep
• Excess body weight, and
• Pregnancy are the main factors that make the symptoms of acid reflux worse.

When Should I Call the Doctor With Acid Reflux Symptoms?

• Heartburn that happens more than twice a week
• Heartburn that occurs without any trigger
• Nausea and vomiting accompanied by pain in the upper abdomen
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness in the voice
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling in the throat
• Ear pain
• Difficulty breathing

Regularly visiting the gastroenterologist for a thorough examination of the esophagus may enable you to prevent complications from acid reflux disease, such as esophageal cancer. 

If you experience any of these symptoms, or if you have frequent heartburn, talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk of acid reflux. One option is to use medication to reduce acid production in your stomach, or to change your diet so that you’re less likely to experience acid reflux.

The Bottomline

Acid reflux disease is a common condition, but it’s treatable. If you’re experiencing any symptoms of acid reflux, it is important to visit your doctor. Treatment may include lifestyle changes and medication, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Still, there are some ways to prevent this condition. 

Making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can help to control acid reflux and reduce symptoms. Hopefully, after reading this article, you are more aware of what acid reflux is, what signs and symptoms of GERD to look for, and how to prevent it.