What Are Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms?

The correct medical term for Acid Reflux Disease is Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It is a medial condition whereas the liquid content of our stomach regurgitates into our esophagus.

Acid Reflux Disease symptoms occur in both normal individuals and GERD patients. The main difference however, is that the refluxed liquid in GERD patients most often contains a higher amount of acid, is refluxed to a higher level and remains in the esophagus longer.

The usual Acid Reflux Disease symptoms are primarily heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea. These however, are only applicable to patients with GERD that has not yet led to complication. Once complications arise other symptoms will also start to manifests.

Heartburn

Heartburn can be described as a burning sensation or a sharp, pinching, pressure-like pain usually felt in within the area of the middle chest. This is due to the stimulation of nerve fibers when the acid was refluxed into the esophagus.

Heartburn may occur as seldom or as often to patients, but the episodes do tend to happen over a period of time. This means that the episodes are more often or severe for a period of several weeks or months, and then they become seldom or mild or even absent for several weeks or months. Nevertheless, heartburn is a life-long problem, and it almost always comes back.

Regurgitation

Regurgitation refers to the presence of the refluxed liquid in the mouth. In most patients, only small quantities of the refluxed liquid usually reach the esophagus, and it remains mostly in the lower part.  Still, there are some patients who experience regurgitation where larger quantities of liquid, sometimes even containing food particles are refluxed and reach the upper esophagus.

When small amounts of refluxed liquid and/or food particles enter the throat, there may only be an acid taste in the mouth. But then, if larger quantities reach the throat, patients may suddenly find their mouths filled with the reflux liquid and/or food particles. What’s more, frequent or prolonged regurgitation may cause the teeth to erode due to the high acid content of the refluxed liquid.

Nausea

Though nausea is uncommon in GERD, some patients, however, develops nausea so frequent and severe that it results to vomiting. Truth is, for people with unexplained manifestations of nausea and/or vomiting, GERD is one of the first medical conditions to be considered. Still, it is not yet clear as to why some patients with GERD develop mainly heartburn while others develop mainly nausea.

GERD is a chronic condition, once you have it, it will stay with you for a very long time. And so, dealing with Acid Reflux Disease symptoms has to be continued for as long as you have GERD. Although there have been arguments on whether treatment should be on a regular basis or during symptomatic periods only, what is important is to continue monitoring one’s symptoms and avoid any further complications.