Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms - What You Should Know

Acid Reflux or GERD is a severe digestive condition that affects 1 out of every 10 adults in their lifetime. The disease is obviously very common, yet often goes untreated.

If treated, it is generally treated with the use of drugs which does not cure the problem. The drug treatment only provides a temporary remedy for acid reflux disease symptoms. The systems develop quickly and can be extremely painful and disruptive.

GERD develops when the liquid content of the stomach travels back into the esophagus. The food is not fully digested by the acid and enzymes (chemicals that helps breakdown food to be used by the body) causing a build- up of acid. The lining of the organ becomes inflamed and damaged.

The damage primarily results into a burning sensation in the chest just behind the breastbone as well as in the throat after eating. When this feeling persist every day for months at a time, you have developed acid reflux.

Acid reflux disease symptoms become very prominent after time. It is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. The symptoms may vary from person to person or you may experience them all. Most people suffering with GERD will experience considerable discomfort which affects the quality of life and every day activities.

In severe cases, the symptoms are extremely painful; equating to severe scarring of the esophagus. This makes it difficult to swallow and increases the risk for developing cancer of the esophagus.

The most common symptom of acid reflux disease is heartburn. Heartburn can be mild or moderate and severe or chronic. The symptom may occur several times a week to several times a day. About 20% of adults will experience heartburn at least once a month and the symptom generally occurs after eating.

This and other digestive problems occur when the stomach acid causes irritation to the lining of the esophagus. Specifically, it is a painful burning sensation that begins in the upper abdomen behind the breastbone. It then travels from the diaphragm all the way to the throat. This may be accompanied by a sour taste of the food re- entering your mouth.

Another symptom of GERD is regurgitation. Regurgitation is an effortless digestive disorder that leaves a sour taste in the mouth. The sour taste is the food traveling back into the mouth.

It is the return of gastric or esophageal contents into the pharynx without pre- signs of nausea, retching, or abdomen contractions. Acid reflux victims typically regurgitate acidic liquid mixed with small amounts of undigested food.

Dysphagia is yet another symptom that acid reflux patients experience. More common in adults, dysphagia is a term defined as “difficulty swallowing.” Specifically, because the esophagus is irritated or scarred, foods or liquid is not able to properly pass from the mouth, into the throat, and down the esophagus.

Lastly, chest pain is also common amongst the acid reflux symptoms. Chest pain is caused by an unpleasant burning sensation in the chest. This burning is extremely painful and may last for a few hours. Additionally, the burning feeling can travel up into the throat mixed with a sour taste. This feeling worsens if the person lies down immediately after a meal.

As you can see, acid reflux disease symptoms are intense. If not treated in a timely manner, they can lead to other sever medical conditions such as cancer, hypertension, and asthma.