February 18, 2012

You are here: Home / Archives for Acid Reflux Symptoms

Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease – Top 7 Things That Could Answer Your Question

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

If you are currently asking yourself the question – “Do I have acid reflux disease?” then it is time to investigate this painful and rather life changing condition to work out whether or not it is time to visit your doctor. There are a few symptoms that are commonly associated with digestive diseases and conditions such as GERD and acid reflux disease and if you are noticing one of more of these symptoms, it is perhaps time to visit a medical professional that can better diagnose your symptoms. Home or self diagnosis will not get you the treatment that you will need so the only way to be safe and healthy is to visit your doctor.

Acid Reflux Symptoms - Difficulty Swallowing

Among the main symptoms of acid reflux disease, you may notice the following:

  1. Heartburn. This is commonly described as a rather painful burning sensation within the chest area and can go as far down as the stomach and as far up as the neck
  2. Regurgitating food back from the gullet into the mouth
  3. Pain in the chest, either constant or a nasty stabbing pain
  4. Trouble when swallowing both liquids and food
  5. Sore throat and hoarseness when trying to talk
  6. Asthma (This is normally due to the acid that is travelling where it should reaching the area around the lungs or throat)
  7. Erosion of the teeth and gums caused by the acid reaching the mouth

These symptoms can happen all at once or in stages and all of them are very uncomfortable to have to deal with. They have the ability to seriously interfere with ones life and even lead to days taken from work as sick and not being able to leave the house due to the painful nature of the heartburn.

For those that have not suffered from heartburn, this can be one of the most painful things to ever have to go through and also one of the most difficult things to explain. The symptoms of acid reflux disease can continue for many months and even longer, getting more and more painful as the time goes if it has not been treated in the correct manner.

Treatment can take the shape of many things from medication that your doctor may have prescribed for you to massive lifestyle changes that can make the difference between painful symptoms of acid reflux disease to bearable ones.

Filed Under: Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: , , ,

Finding Relief From Acid Reflux Disease

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

Millions of people suffer from acid reflux disease which can range from a hoarse throat in the morning to symptoms that might have you rushing to the doctor thinking you are having a heart attack!

This very common chronic condition, sometimes referred to as heartburn by every day folks and often called gastroespohageal reflux disease or GERD by your doctor is not only very uncomfortable, but it can also lead to very serious problems due to the stomach acids burning your esophagus if left unchecked over long periods of time. This condition called Erosive Esophagitis can be serious and some doctors think it may even be linked to esophageal cancer.

If you have ever felt that burning in your throat or tasted the bitter sour taste in the back of your mouth then you won’t be surprised to learn that acid reflux is caused by stomach acids, and sometimes food, backing up into your esophagus. There is a muscle in between the stomach and esophagus and this muscle acts like a valve that lets food enter from the esophagus into the stomach but is supposed to only open one way so that food and stomach acids cannot back up. However, in many people this muscle does not function properly and the result is acid reflux.

There are many ways to treat acid reflux but you will want to visit a health professional to get a good diagnosis before you choose the right path for you to take. Usually treating acid reflux is an ongoing process and your doctor might suggest medicines such as pump inhibiters that reduce the amount of acid produced or he may leave it to simple dietary and lifestyle changes such as avoiding some foods and sleeping on an incline.

No matter what your doctor suggests, it’s in your best interest to find out what foods trigger bouts of heartburn for you. Try keeping a food diary and noting what you eat, when you eat it and how you feel shortly after. This will tell you what foods you might think about avoiding. Typically fatty and fried foods cause acid reflux. Other foods you might want to avoid include chocolate, tomotoe based foods, peppermint, citrus and spicy foods.

Other things you can do to reduce the effects of acid reflux disease include wearing loose clothing (especially around your stomach area) and not eating for several hours before bedtime.

Filed Under: Acid Reflux Remedies, Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: , ,

Signs And Symptoms Of Acid Reflux Disease

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

The causes of acid reflux (GERD) are rather simple should they not lead to complications. GERD without complications causes heartburn, nausea, and regurgitation. However, the complications are rather severe, ranging from an ulcerated esophagus, symptoms of coughing and asthma to Barrett’s esophagus which left untreated can lead to esophageal cancer and eventually death. So, it is best to seek treatment for the symptoms of Acid Reflux disease (GERD) before complications have set in.

Acid Reflux Disease and Heartburn

What is Acid Reflux Disease?

Acid reflux disease is frequent (and sometimes not so frequent) regurgitation (liquid or food being forced in reverse direction in the digestive system) of digestive juices into the esophagus. These juices contain the digestive juices, one of which is a very strong acid (hydrochloric acid, HCL) which burns the lower esophagus and causes much pain and sometimes regurgitation of small amounts of liquid into the mouth. Acid reflux also causes heartburn and nausea.

Should these symptoms persist without monitoring and treatment the disease can lead to precancerous skin cells growing in the esophagus, this is called Barrett’s esophagus and can lead to cancer of the esophagus.

What causes acid reflux disease?

There are several causes of GERD. Acid reflux disease can be caused by any one of several disorders of the upper digestive tract. It is also a possible disturbance pregnancy because both hormones and the growing fetus are pushing on the digestive tract and can cause relaxation or opening of the lower esophageal sphincter which can cause a reflux of digestive juices into the esophagus and thus acid reflux disease. Hiatal hernia, which is a hernia or distention of the walls of the lower esophagus weakens the lower esophagus and thus sometimes causes GERD. The reason it only causes this in some cases is not known. There are several others such as congenital weakness or other abnormalities in the lower esophagus.

Signs and symptoms of acid reflux disease

The chief signs and symptoms are heartburn, a pain in the lower esophagus caused by the acid having prolonged contact with the unprotected lining of the lower esophagus. Nausea and regurgitation are the common symptoms which are caused by some of the digestive juices being forced up into the mouth.

Burning feeling in chest or heartburn after taking your food, burning sensation in throat, becoming croaky and even loosing voice, lingering bitter acidic taste in mouth, continuous coughing, finding it difficult to swallow are other few common symptoms.

The larger problem with GERD is with the possible complications that can occur with prolonged damage of the lower esophagus. Barrett’s cells have been discussed and are a serious complication that can lead to esophageal cancer. Other complications are an ulcerated esophagus, and coughing for unknown reasons, either because of the irritation in the region of the lungs and esophagus, or because an asthma attack has been triggered.

Treatment of acid reflux disease

The treatments for GERD (acid reflux disease) are certain medications, and a change of diet and other minor lifestyle changes that assist in decreasing the symptoms. Acidic foods are eliminated, fatty foods which can lower the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) and thus open it and cause acid reflux. Changes in sleeping patterns are also needed to prevent heartburn at night.

Filed Under: Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: , , , ,

A Closer Look At Acid Reflux Disease

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

Generally known as ‘heartburn’, acid reflux disease is a condition wherein the liquid content of the stomach refluxes into the esophagus. It can be both agonizing and annoying. But if you want to know the truth, the reflux of the stomach’s liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most normal individuals. Though, when heartburn becomes acid reflux disease or Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also referred to as GERD, it is s real problem. This is because with GERD, the acid is stronger and remains in the esophagus even longer causing more pain.

Many a times, you will experience this especially when you are upright, sitting straight, or standing and it occurs during the daytime. You body handles this reflux by the fluid flowing back down into your stomach. One tends to swallow more during the daytime as a result draining the acid back to where it belongs. Your salivary glands create saliva that also contains bicarbonate that acts to neutralize the acid your stomach has kicked up.

Though at night, you may experience a greater problem when acid reflux disease takes place that is because while sleeping, gravity does not work as well lying down, your constant swallowing stops, and the production of saliva is reduced.

For GERD, there are certain conditions that tend to make a person more prone to acid reflux disease. For instance, this can be a serious problem while you are pregnant. Elevated hormone levels of pregnancy probably cause reflux by lowering the pressure in that part of your body known as the lower esophageal sphincter. Moreover the growing baby puts more pressure on the abdomen. Both of these effects of pregnancy tend to increase the risk of GERD.

You will experience only minor symptoms if you’re acid reflux disease is a minor condition. This would include mainly heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea.

However for more complicated conditions, then one would need to watch out for the following symptoms:

Firstly the liquid that comes back into the esophagus damages the lining of the esophagus. The body in turn tries to protect itself from the acid reflux disease by ‘inflaming’ the esophagus. In many cases when trying to speed the healing process through the inflammation, the wall of the esophagus may form an ulcer. Thus an ulcer is a break in the lining of the esophagus wall. Then what happens is that there may be bleeding. In case the bleeding is very severe, patients might need a blood transfusion or even surgical treatment.

If your heartburn is severe or acute, or if it takes place very frequently, you need to see a doctor.

See a Doctor For Severe Acid Reflux

What can you do for yourself to alleviate the condition?

  • You can try sleeping on a pillow at night that raises your chest up slightly so that gravity can bring the acid back down more easily. Many a times this condition regularly arises on a full stomach; hence one needs to eat earlier and eat less to keep the stomach from being too full.
  • Cut down on the chocolate, peppermint, caffeinated drinks and alcohol.
  • Lessen fatty foods and for sure, either cut down or quit smoking. Other foods may aggravate the conditions.
  • Also pass up on both spicy or acid-containing foods, like citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and tomato juice.
Filed Under: Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: , ,

Why Feel Safe When You Do not Know About Acid Reflux Disease?

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

Acid Reflux and Heartburn SymptomsAcid reflux disease is a health condition brought about by stomach content being let to flow back to the throat. Gastric acid also from the stomach, uses this opportunity to be carried together with the food back to the throat. When it reaches there, it causes a hot sensation due to the acid burning the tender tissues. Acid reflux not only occurs in grown ups but also to new born babies and infants. The disease is usually characterized by several symptoms, causes and even certain remedies and cures for treatment.

Symptoms of this disease may include experiencing heartburn. The condition occurs due to the fact that, as gastric acid flows back to the throat, it tends to burn the tender tissues along its path. Pain brought about with this burning is realized more around the mid chest area and when this takes place, it is usually said that you are suffering from a heart burn.

Another symptom of the acid reflux disease is one having a difficult time while swallowing. Immediately you notice that you tend to have problems during swallowing, this disease should not be far from your thoughts. Research has it that because acid frequents the throat area, the refluxed acid may burn the throat tissues and sores may occur. These sores produce pain whenever you try to ingest food and makes you have a hard time as you try to swallow.

The causes of this terrible condition tend to vary from person to person. One main reason may be because of the poor functioning of the valve that covers the top of the esophagus. Due to this valve not conducting its duties properly, stomach content is sometimes allowed to pass from the stomach to the throat. In turn, the throat undergoes a lot of damage because of the stomach acid being let out to burn the throat area.

Digestive malfunctions also add to the causes of this disease. When you are suffering from these kinds of problems, food is most of the times not completely digested and as a result of this, it may be pushed back up into the esophagus and find its way back into the throat. Here, stomach acid is carried along with the undigested food and it burns the soft tissue as it moves through the esophagus and even while it is in the throat .

Many remedies have been thought of over the years as a problem solver of trying to find treatment to the acid reflux disease. Many have been termed as effective but surgery is said to be the permanent solution to solving this issue once and for all. The surgical approach is believed to fix the main cause of acid back flow to the throat which is the defective valve covering the top of the esophagus. The valve gets to be tightened and in turn, it does not allow any stomach content from the stomach to ever reach the throat area hence preventing acid reflux.

Having said that, it will be of great help to see that you live well by avoiding at all cost this reflux disease.

Filed Under: Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: , ,

Does it Hurt to Learn About the Acid Reflux Disease?

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

Acid reflux is a condition experienced in the body where by the liquid content of the stomach (mainly acid) flows back into the oesophagus and finds its way to the human throat and cause it to have a burning sensation which may be mild or severe depending on the quantity of the liquid. The liquid may inflame or damage the lining of the oesophagus. Of all the contents of the refluxed liquid, acid is believed to be the most dangerous and probably the most damaging component of the liquid.

This condition is believed to be so chronic such that when it starts occurring, it continues to take place throughout your life. This is due to people not following up on possible treatment used to stop this.

Heartburn and Acid Reflux SymptomsAcid reflux is usually characterized by some of the following symptoms:

  • Regular heartburn is a clear symptom of acid reflux. A heartburn condition has an irritating burning sensation in your chest and in some of the cases, the sensation is so intense that you get to feel it on your back. So don’t hold back on treatment when you start experiencing regular heart burns.
  • Difficulty in swallowing accompanied with a burning feeling is another sign that you might be having the acid reflux disease. The situation usually makes you feel like you have a lump stuck in your throat and makes it so hard for you to swallow food. Consulting a doctor would be advisable at this point so as to confirm for sure if you are indeed suffering from this disease.
  • Having a continous pricking pain in your throat as you swallow food might be another indication that you might be suffering from the acid reflux disease.The pricking pain is accompanied by some sought of burning which is mostly a symptom of this troubling disease. While you are experiencing this condition, it usually proves necessary for you to eat and drink slowly during such times.

The acid reflux disease may at times only need certain triggers for it to occur.

For example, in pregnant women, elevated hormone levels which lower the pressure of the bottom part of the oesophageal sphincter and the growing fetus increasing the pressure in the abdomen, may lead to acid reflux occurrence. In these cases, pregnant women are supposed to seek medical attention so as to be advised on what measures to undertake.

Obesity could be another cause of this disturbing disease. Due to a full stomach, liquid contents get to be pushed up back into the esophagus and back to the throat. This liquid carries along with it acid which causes the burning feeling in the throat. Due to this reason, doctors advice people to exercise regularly and try to keep fit so as to avoid getting the acid reflux disease.

Consumption of heavy meals bring about improper indigestion. This action may cause the in digested food to be moved back towards the throat through the oesophagus. Body acid sometimes takes this opportunity to move together with this food. When it reaches the throat, it makes you have an irritation which may be mild or at times be so intense that you are able to feel it on your back.

Given the above symptoms and some of the causes that bring about this problem, it is now possible to avoid this traumatizing disease.

Filed Under: Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: , ,

Identify Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

Acid reflux disease is a medical condition in which the gastric juices, that are made up of acid, manage to work their way from our stomachs into the swallowing tube or esophagus. Many people will experience this condition on a regular basis. When this happens it is called gastro esophageal reflux disease also known as GERD.

Acid Reflux in Pregnant WomenUsually when there is food in the stomach it will be partially digested by the enzymes and acids contained within the stomach. These special chemicals help to break down the food so that the body can reuse it for energy. If things work normal the partially digested food that contains acid from the stomach will be taken to the stomach muscle and into the small intestine to finish the digestion process. Acid reflux is caused when the food that holds the stomach acids will travel to the esophagus instead of the small intestine. This can cause damage and inflammation and can be very painful.

Causes Of Acid Reflux

There are many factors that can cause acid reflux disease. Some of the more common causes are fatty foods, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, chocolate, pregnancy, obesity, and the delayed time it takes to empty the stomach.

When someone is pregnant or obese they will experience pressure in the stomach that will push the partially digested food contained within it back into the esophagus. There are others whose stomach will empty very slowly into the intestines.

Symptoms Of Acid Reflux

The most common acid reflux symptom is of course heartburn. Heartburn is the burning feeling you receive that can travel from your stomach and reach all the way up to your chest and neck. Other symptoms include; regurgitation, chest pain, asthma, hoarseness, dental erosion, and difficulty swallowing.

Filed Under: Acid Reflux and Pregnancy, Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: ,

Why Your Life Could Be At Risk If You Continually Ignore The Symptoms Of Acid Reflux Disease

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

Acid reflux disease can make a person’s life almost a living nightmare unless they take the time to sit down and identify the symptoms associated with it.

Taking the first steps to control the incidence of reflux in your life is an important first step which many seem reluctant to take. Masking over the symptoms and telling yourself you’ll be a little more careful next time is doing nothing but delaying the inevitable.

What Is Acid Reflux Disease?

It occurs when stomach acid, which is used for digestion purposes, continually backs up into the esophagus. The role of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), which is situated at the bottom of the esophagus, is there to produce a barrier and when food is allowed to pass by the LES from the mouth to the stomach, it will usually close tightly.

When the door isn’t shut tightly, stomach acid can then back up into the esophagus causing an unpleasant experience for those who experience it. The problem is, unchecked, and with the esophagus continually exposed, damage can occur which can lead to more serious complications. This is known as acid reflux disease and is also referred to as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

Symptoms Of Acid Reflux Disease

Heartburn is the most common symptom. Experiencing heartburn more than twice a week should be cause for some alarm. Other symptoms include persistent coughing, sour taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, chest pain and unnaturally high incidence of belching.

What Steps Can You Take Prevent Acid Reflux Disease?

First of all, you need to admit to yourself there is a problem. That’s obvious but too many times the warning signs are ignored. Try these simple steps:

  1. Following another episode of reflux make a promise to yourself to sit down and identify the possible trigger.
  2. Be honest in your assessment here. Identify the food you consumed before the attack or the liquid intake you had. Did you smoke? Do you wear tight fitting clothing especially around the stomach? Did the attack happen shortly after you went to bed? Write down everything you can think of.
  3. Make an appointment to see your doctor. Your doctor will be your greatest ally in getting on top of reflux disease.
  4. Go over your list and review your current lifestyle. Your doctor can then suggest a plan of action which may include diet and lifestyle changes and possibly medication.

The worst thing you can do concerning acid reflux is to attempt to self-medicate. Common antacids may be okay for mild heartburn sufferers but acid reflux needs more serious attention. You’ve got to realize with continued exposure to acid, your esophagus is at risk of serious damage and untreated, more serious complications such as Barrett’s esophagus could occur with an increased risk of esophagus cancer possible.

Filed Under: Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: , ,

Identifying the Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

The symptoms of acid reflux disease are similar to those of the more common and benign symptoms of heartburn. If you find yourself frequently suffering from these symptoms, you should contact a doctor or health professional to help determine if it is only heartburn or something more serious like acid reflux disease / gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Discomfort along with aches and pains in the in the chest are the most common symptoms of acid reflux disease. Bloating and excess gas also are frequently associated with acid reflux as are a burning sensation in the chest and a bad taste in the throat and mouth.

As the acid in your stomach works it way back up the esophagus, it is not uncommon to feel bouts of nausea along with the general discomfort in the chest. This is especially true for pregnant women. If heartburn and nausea appear without any discernable cause, you should discuss the symptoms with your doctor as they can possibly be a sign of something more serious.

With all the internal fighting going on, another common symptom is the development of a headache.

Some tips to help keep acid reflux disease under control:

The most obvious but, in most cases, the hardest recommendation to follow is to completely avoid the foods that cause acid reflux. Unfortunately, doing this will more thank likely end up making your diet a bland and not very tasty experience. Continue to enjoy the foods that you like, but do so in moderation. Take note of the foods that do wind up causing acid reflux and be sure to take special care not to over do it when it comes to those foods. Do your best to stay away from fatty and fried foods as well.

Many people drink milk in an attempt to relieve their discomfort. What they don’t realize is that this may be doing them more harm than good as after the initial relief that milk brings from washing the acid back down the esophagus, it frequently spurs the production of more acid in the stomach. If you do feel the need for some milk, try drinking soy milk instead.

Avoid eating too close to bedtime. Lying down allows your stomach acid to flow more easily back up your esophagus and can help amplify your discomfort. If you find yourself having to eat close to bedtime, you can try sleeping sitting in a slightly upright or reclining position.

There are many more things that you can do to help improve your situation if you are suffering symptoms of acid reflux disease. Regardless of the steps you take, you should be sure to consult with a health professional.

Filed Under: Acid Reflux Remedies, Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: , ,

Some of the Causes and Symptoms of Acid Reflux Acid Reflux Disease

By Heartburn Sufferer Leave a Comment

With regards to Acid Reflux Disease, Acid Reflux is also known as acidity in common term. It is a state where the contents of the stomach travel backwards to the throat causing the very common symptom as heart burn, hiccups, burning sensation etc. This acid can cause burning sensation and can damage the lining of the esophagus. Esophagus is the tube which connects our stomach and the throat. There is a small valve covering the top of the esophagus. This valve opens to release the gas after our meals. But sometimes due to the weak functioning of this valve it also lets pass some contents from our stomach to the throat.

Acid Reflux is noticed in adults as well as in infants and children. If not taken care of this at the right time, this disease can often be suffered for a life time.

There are various medicines available to cure acid reflux. These medicines are known as antacids which can be taken under the supervision of your doctor or physician. But as these medicines have a good effect they as well have bad side effects on ones health. Acid influx may aggravate again if the medicines are stopped. There are surgeries which can be done as a long term effect against acid influx. There are pillows available in the market to lessen the cause of acid reflux.

Let us now discuss some of the causes and symptoms of acid reflux.

Symptoms:

Acid reflux is mainly caused because of the eating habits. It is a digestive problem and has got nothing to do with the heart though the main symptom of it being heart burn.

Heart burn: In this there an irritating burning sensation in your chest and in some cases it can be felt in the back also. It is mainly suffered by the people having unhealthy eating habits.

Burning sensation while swallowing food: There is continuous pricking pain in the throat or sometimes there is a feeling of food getting stuck in the throat or the chest. It is necessary to eat and drink slowly at such times.

Swallowing difficulty: Accompanied with burning sensation there is feeling of a lump being stuck in the throat. There can be various problems to cause this type of feeling, so it is advisable to consult a doctor as soon as possible. In this condition one should avoid eating too hot or too cold food items.

Causes of Acid Reflux:

Acid Reflux can be caused because of many reasons. Listed below are some of the common causes of Acid Reflux.

Eating heavy meals: People often indulge themselves in over eating. This causes pressure on the digestive system often leading to indigestion leaving a bitter taste in the mouth. Thus one should get conscious about the eating habits which would help maintain a good health.

Pregnancy: During this period women should avoid eating unwanted food which can give rise to acid reflux and instead have a well balanced diet full of proteins, iron and calcium for baby’s and mothers good health.

Loss of exercise: Some People don’t like exercising but are often seen eating high calorie food and gaining weight, thus becoming more prone towards acid influx.

Thus if a person takes proper care of his health and maintain good eating habits, then he can reduce the further serious effects of Acid Reflux and maintain a good and healthy life.

Filed Under: Acid Reflux Diets, Acid Reflux Symptoms Tagged With: , , ,