Symptoms Of Acid Reflux - A Basics Guide

Though often not so serious, the symptoms of acid reflux can be painful and uncomfortable

. Acid reflux or GERD occurs when the tube used to take in the food from the throat to the stomach could not handle the acid. The stomach digests the food we eat with the help of the acid it produces and stores. The walls around the stomach are supposed to be strong enough to produce and store the acid without causing any damage.

For unknown reasons, heartburn, one of the most common symptoms of acid reflux, occurs when the acid flows back into the esophagus from the stomach. This condition leaves a constant burning sensation in the chest. These symptoms of acid reflux occur to everyone once in a while; however, when it regularly happens around 2 to 3 times a week without any visible relief even after taking some medications, then you must have GERD or acid reflux. Changes in diet can provide you relief from the attack of symptoms of acid reflux. In cases of recurrence, medical attention may be necessary.

The symptoms of acid reflux are mainly caused by the failure of the lower oeasophageal sphinter to function at inappropriate times; thus, it becomes unable to block the flow back of acid into the esophagus. The flow back of stomach acid into the esophagus causes severe heartburn right in the chest.

Other symptoms of acid reflux include:

1. Chest Pain or Burning Sensation in the Chest - starting from the sternum or from behind the breast bone, the pain or burning sensation may run up and be felt at the throat. People often experience this symptom after they eat a meal. The pain may stay for a few minutes to a couple of hours.

2. Sour or bitter taste in the mouth - a person will have a sour or bitter taste in the mouth when the stomach contents are pushed back to the esophagus and to the back of the throat.

3. Difficulty Swallowing - dysphagia or difficulty swallowing occurs when the food we eat is unable to pass to the stomach from the mouth through the esophagus normally. This could be characterized by a sensation that the food is sticking in the throat or burning after eating, chest pressure, or a choking feeling. Aside from being one of the symptoms of acid reflux, dysphagia may also signal various conditions including esophageal cancer and esophagitis and must be immediately evaluated by a physician.

4. Chronic Coughing - according to some studies, acid reflux accounted for about 40% of chronic cough cases in non-smoking patients. If the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and becomes aspirated, coughing occurs.

5. Wheezing and other asthma-related symptoms - these are also some of the most common symptoms of acid reflux as study sows that around 60% of asthmatic people have also been diagnosed to have acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD can cause asthma-related symptoms when the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and is inhaled into the lungs and airways, thereby, making breathing more difficult and causing the patient to cough and wheeze.

by: Barbara Thomson

POST COMMENT

Role of sex in healthy life, its impact on stress and depression ,leads mis behave with spouse Hypercoagulation (thick Blood) - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Schizoaffective Disorder - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment. Effective Internal Hemorrhoids Treatment Options Hemophilia - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Short Sleeve Sweatshirt - The Best Of Both Worlds Healthy Delicacies - A few remarkable Healthy Recipes Maximizing Fertility Through The Use Of Natural Herbs Healthy Weight Loss - Should You Go On A Diet The Best Way To Try And Keep Heated With Your Camping Sleeping Bags Healthy Weight Loss - Exercise For Fun Symptoms Of Black Magic In America Healthy Weight Loss - Avoid the SuperSize Options