Acid Reflux Symptoms - What You Should Know About Acid Reflux

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 aboutacid 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:

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

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

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

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.

Not So Common Acid Reflux Symptoms:

Many patients with acid reflux do not experience the main acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. The symptoms may instead appear or experienced in other locations. Here are some of the less common acid reflux symptoms:

1. Burning Sensation in the Chest - chest pain is characterized by the feeling that your food could not move from behind your breastbone. While this can be a symptom of acid reflux, chest pain can also signal other medical conditions such as angina and heart attack.


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. Coughing and Respiratory Problems - Patients with acid reflux may also experience coughing and wheezing. As a matter of fact, around 40% of the cases of coughing in patients who do not smoke are attributed to acid reflux.

4. Chronic Nausea and Throwing Up - constant occurrence of nausea that often leads to vomiting or throwing up may also be one of the acid reflux symptoms. However, this isn't always the cause as nausea and vomiting may also signal other medical conditions like gallbladder and pancreatic disorders, ulcers, and stomach cancers. Thus, it is necessary to always consult with your doctor whenever this symptom is experienced.