Acid Reflux Symptoms
Acid reflux is a very uncomfortable medical condition. Many people suffer from acid reflux on a monthly basis. Acid reflux is also called gastroesphageal reflux disease or GERD with numerous symptoms.
The common symptoms include heartburn sour acid-y taste in the mouth and moderate chest pains. Regurgitation as well as dyspepsia is other symptoms frequently experienced.
The heartburning sensation from acid reflux is the burning pain or discomfort in the middle to upper areas of the stomach into the chest and abdomen. It can also be experienced in the throat but does not technically affect the heart at all. The regurgitation sensation is quite common with the acid backing up into the throat and mouth. It leaves a bitter acidy sour taste while other times there are urges to vomit due to the horrible tastes and results of the acids rising up. Dyspepsia is the general stomach discomfort resulting in burping nausea after meals bloating and fullness in the stomach and upper abdominal discomfort or pain.
The symptoms can be a sign of too much stomach acids or an inflamed esophagus. The acids can damage the lining of the esophagus and potentially cause bleeding or even cancer. Acid reflux is generally not a serious disease yet left untreated can become not only uncomfortable and painful but can lead to cancer in extreme cases.
Acid reflux most often occur after eating large meals in the evening or nighttime while bending over or while doing exercises that require the usage of the abdominal muscles pushing on the diaphragm.
The sometimes-painful sensations often lead many people to think they are having a heart attack. This extreme amount of pain should not be ignored at anytime. Always seek medical attention when having this sensation. Do not always contribute any chest pains to acid reflux.
Pregnant women often experience the heartburn or acid reflux during pregnancy. The increased levels of hormones and added pressure of the growing baby are the causes of the uncomfortable sensation. In the majority of pregnancy acid reflux disease patients the heartburn will subside after delivery.
The amounts of acidy foods and beverages will contribute to acid reflux. Avoid citrus fruits chocolate caffeinated beverages alcohol fried spicy and fatty foods onions garlic peppermint and tomatoes.
Generally acid reflux does not have complications yet in a few cases it has lead to damaged esophageal regions leading to scarring and trouble swallowing due to the narrowing of the passage. The sensation of choking or trouble swallowing is one of the signs of dysphasia. In some cases people with dysphasia develop abnormal shaped esophagus due to the amounts of acids and damage over a period.
