Surviving John

Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when the tube used to transport the food to the stomach from the throat is too weak and is not able to handle the acid, thereby producing some acid reflux symptoms. The food taken in is digested with the acid it produces and stores. The walls of the stomach should be strong enough for it to be capable of storing the acid without causing any damage. However, when the acid flows from the stomach into the esophagus, acid reflux occurs with different symptoms. Read on and learn about some of the acid reflux symptoms.

Acid Refux Symptoms:

1. Heartburn – GERD or acid reflux is mainly characterized by heartburn, one of the primary acid reflux symptoms, often described as pain or burning sensation that radiates from the abdomen to the chest and throat. A certain medical study states that 75% of patients with acid reflux experience this symptom at night especially after they have engaged in certain activities such as:

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

2. Dyspepsia – almost 50% of acid reflux patients suffer from dyspepsia, a condition characterized by the following:

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

It should be noted that dyspepsia may also be experienced by those not diagnosed with GERD.

3. Regurgitation – this is the condition when the acid backs up in the throat. In some cases, the acid regurgitates up to the mouth and comes out as a “wet burp”. In rare cases, the acid may forcefully come out as a vomit.

Not So Common Acid Reflux Symptoms:

Acid reflux may also be characterized by some less common acid reflux symptoms which may possibly be localized in some areas of the body. Some of these are:

1. Burning Sensation or Pain in the Chest – while this condition can also be a symptom of other medical conditions such as angina and heart attack, this condition characterized by the feeling of having food behind the breastbone can also manifest when the patient has acid reflux.

2. Acid Reflux Symptoms experienced in the throat – some of these are:

· 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 – a certain medical study states that almost 40% of those non-smoking patients with acid reflux experience coughing and wheezing.

4. Vomiting and Chronic Nausea – nausea that lasts for a long time may also be one of the acid reflux symptoms. In some cases, vomiting may occur once a day. However, all other possible causes of vomiting and chronic nausea should be ruled out with proper diagnosis, including stomach cancer, ulcers, gallbladder or pancreatic disorders.