Symptoms 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 after 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 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 a 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.
Recent
Acid Reflux Articles
Some Tips For An Acid Reflux Diet
Before
turning to harsh medications, most doctors suggest that people with acid reflux
problems make some lifestyle changes. Adopting a diet that reduces acid reflux
is one very useful and simple change that people can make.
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