Acid Reflux Hub

Acid reflux symptoms vary from one person to another but, in general, affect most people within a small range of symptoms.  Acid reflux disease is normally caused by an abnormal reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the sternum area of the chest.

The human body uses gastric and stomach acids to break down the food after consumption. Normally, after the digestion in the stomach, the food is transported by the digestive muscles to the intestines for additional digestion. But in patients who have acid reflux disease, acid from the stomach is “backs up” into the esophagus, which then causes inflammation and pain. Smoking, drinking alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, and pregnancy are some factors which can worsen acid reflux conditions.

Current medical research shows that this disease is does not favor one sex over the other as it is experienced commonly by both men and women. However, acid reflux symptoms do appear to be more prevalent in adults over the age of 40.

The following is a list of description of typical acid reflux symptoms.  Studies show that approximately 70% of patients who are diagnosed with acid reflux disease exhibit these symptoms.

Heartburn – this is the most common description given for the painful burning sensation in the esophagus.  The pain is normally described as beginning in the chest and moving to the throat area.  Heartburn normally occurs after a heavy meal, lifting, bending over or sometimes lying down within 2 hours of eating.  Studies have shown that 75% of acid reflux patients tend to experience heartburn at night; the heartburn is also described as being more intensive at night than any other time.

Respiratory complications – sometimes, the backup of stomach acid may create a bronchoconstriction resulting in coughing and/or wheezing.

Dyspepsia – approximately 50% of acid reflux sufferers experience chronic pain in the upper abdomen and “stomach fullness” after eating.  It is not necessarily the case that those who have dyspepsia also have acid reflux disease.

Regurgitation – the gastric contents of the stomach back into the pharynx and into the mouth.  Patients may also regurgitate because of nausea and stomach acid backing up into the tracheobronchial tree.

Less common symptoms – other symptoms have been documented to occur in patients diagnosed with acid reflux disease but are less common. Some patients have described having a dry cough and a feeling of a “lump in the throat” which is sometimes referred to as acid laryngitis. Some people also show signs of having difficulty when swallowing, a condition commonly known as dysphagia.  In very extreme cases, patients have found that food gets trapped in their throat or they might even choke; this often results in severe chest pain as well.  Chronic sore throat, belching and hiccups have also been attributed to acid reflux disease.

Acid reflux symptoms are often treated successfully by physicians once proper tests have been conducted to ensure that a patient is suffering from acid reflux disease.  While it is possible to treat the symptoms of acid reflux with over-the-counter medications, it is best to consult a physician if symptoms continue to occur.

Article by Gregory Smythe