Generally when people mention acid reflux, they are referring to a condition where the stomach acids regurgitate into the oesophagus causing a significant amount of discomfort. Most people will experience reflux, or heartburn as it is also known, at some time in their lives, generally after eating a spicy meal. The symptoms indicating the presence of acid reflux varies from person to person and in severity.
To understand more about the symptoms of acid reflux, it is important to know what is involved when your body is experiencing an episode of heartburn. During the digestive process our body uses gastric acids to break down the food we eat. These acids are found in the stomach. The muscles of the digestive system move the food along to the small and large intestine for extra digestion. In people who have acid reflux disease, there is a malfunction in the valve that sits between the stomach and the oesophagus. The contents of the stomach then regurgitate back up into the oesophagus and cause pain and discomfort.
Some of the typical symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Heartburn. During an episode of heartburn, the person feels a painful burning feeling in their chest and may extend to their neck or throat. It will generally happen after a heavy meal, lifting, bending over, or resting flat after a meal. The majority of sufferers will experience this pain at night.
- Dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is indicated where there is pain and distress in the upper abdomen, nausea after a meal and a feeling of fullness in your stomach. These symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have acid reflux.
- Regurgitation. Regurgitation occurs when the contents of the stomach move back up into the oesophagus and sometimes even the mouth.
It must be noted that there can be many other symptoms indicating the presence of acid reflux. These symptoms are referred to as extraoesophageal symptoms and include:
- Throat Symptoms. Symptoms in the throat are generally not common. Sometimes people may suffer from hoarseness, feeling a lump in the throat, a dry cough or a symptom called acid laryngitis. There can be difficulty swallowing. In critical instances, food may get stuck in their throat and cause choking or severe chest pain. Other throat issues could be persistent hiccups or a chronic sore throat.
- Nausea and Vomiting. Nausea which lasts for weeks may be attributed to acid reflux. There are some cases where vomiting has occurred on a daily basis.
- Respiratory Symptoms. When the acid from the stomach interferes with the airways it can result in coughing a wheezing.
Acid reflux is a condition which can last for a very short time or for several months if it is not treated correctly. As with any medical condition, it is worth speaking with your health care professional if you are exhibiting any of the symptoms of acid reflux.
