Acid Reflux Symptoms - Helpful Information

Acid reflux symptoms characterize the condition called acid reflux or GERD, which occurs because of the weakening of the tube that transports the food taken in to the stomach, making it unable to handle the acid. The acid the stomach produces and stores is used to digest the food consumed. The stomach walls should have enough strength to store the acid it produces without damaging anything in the system. However, different symptoms may be experienced when the acid is pushed up the esophagus from the stomach. If you want to know more about acid reflux symptoms, read on.

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:

Lying down on the back Bending over Lifting heavy objects After eating a lot of foods

2.Dyspepsia - Half of those diagnosed with GERD can experience dyspepsia through the following conditions:

Discomfort and pain localized at the upper portion of the abdomen Nausea experienced eating Always feeling full

However, it is important to remember that it is possible to have dyspepsia without having acid reflux.

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.

Less 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.Chest Pain or Sensations - this is the sensation or feeling that the food is trapped and can't move from behind the breastbone. While this signals acid reflux, it is important to know that it is different from chest pain due to some heart conditions, like heart attack and angina.

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

Acid Laryngitis signaled by sore throat, hoarseness, dry cough, and the feeling of wanting to repeatedly clear the throat Difficulty in Swallowing (Dysphagia) - patients with GERD find it difficult to swallow the food they eat. As a result, they can choke or experience extreme chest pain. Unrelenting Hiccups Chronic Sore Throat

3.Respiratory Symptoms and Coughing - Wheezing and coughing may also occur. In one medical study, acid reflux alone accounted for around 40% of chronic cough cases in non-smoking patients.

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.