Severe GERD Symptoms Most Common in Adults and Children

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the advanced stage of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), hence, more serious in nature. The latter is also called acid reflux due to the rising upwards of stomach acids and food to the esophagus. When there are more than two refluxes in a week, this will now lead to severe GERD symptoms that beset adults and children alike.

The most common of these symptoms is frequent heartburn in adults. As for infants, if the reflux persists beyond their first birthday, it is likely that the baby is already suffering from the disorder. Other symptoms include laryngitis, coughing, heartburn, nausea, repeated regurgitation, or frequent respiratory problems.

It would be most appropriate to see your doctor if there are more than two frequent refluxes in a week. Severe GERD if not given immediate medical attention are likely to manifest the following symptoms:

IN ADULTS

1. Barrett’s esophagus - The stomach acid has already caused inflammation and cell damage to the cell lining in the lower esophagus. As a result, the cells have become cancerous because of its tendency to mutate. Eighty-five percent of those who were affected by this resulted to deaths.

2. Hoarseness in voice - The vocal cords are also damaged by the repeated presence of acid in the mouth.

3. Regurgitation - Due to the damage done to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the stomach acid easily flows back to the mouth through the esophagus. This happens especially when lying down after eating. In worst cases, this can also lead to choking or chronic coughing.

4. Nausea and vomiting after each meal-- Stomach discomfort brings forth a tendency to vomit.

IN CHILDREN

The symptoms in children may be different from one to the other. Nevertheless, the most common and most severe symptoms are constant coughing, recurring infections, shortness of breath, gasping for air while sleeping, regular vomiting and repeated burping. In the same way, what may be an effective treatment to one child may not be as effective to another. In addition, it is not advisable to administer acid relfux drugs to your child without proper medical evalutation.

There are many available treatments and will depend upon the severity of the sufferer's symptoms. It would be wiser to consult a doctor for medical evaluation of its causes and immediate cure. Severe GERD symptoms whether in adults or children result to serious medical condition if not given immediate and proper medical attention.