Acid reflux occurs when the contents of the stomach, including food, gastric acid and digestive juices, rise from the stomach into the esophagus. Symptoms vary from mild to severe and differ from person to person. They usually appear when lifting an object, lying down or leaning or after a heavy, greasy or acidic meal.
While acid reflux can occur at any time of the day, most people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have symptoms at night, when they are lying down. Consult your doctor for tests and tests if you take antacids daily or if you have acid reflux more than twice a week.
Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Gastric acidity, also known as acid indigestion, is the most common symptom of acid reflux. The painful burning sensation is caused by gastric acid, which rises from the stomach to the lower half of the chest, behind the sternum in the middle of the abdomen and into the throat.
While this burning sensation can result from discomfort to pain, its intensity does not necessarily indicate that there is an injury to the esophagus. Often, gastric acidity is most intense when lying down or tilting.
Sour taste
Gastric acid reflux can cause a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. It may also be accompanied by a burning sensation in the throat and mouth.
Regurgitation
Some people have regurgitation, which is the feeling that an acid, a sour liquid, food or bile rises into the throat. Although rare, in some cases it can cause vomiting. It is possible that infants and children with GERD or GERD may regurgitate repeatedly, which is not harmful and is entirely natural in infants under 18 months of age.
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia, or indigestion, is a burning sensation and discomfort that is felt in the upper half of the stomach. The pain may be intermittent but, in general, it is a permanent symptom. Some people may feel bloated, have heartburn, feel full, nausea, stomach ache and vomiting or belching. These symptoms should be taken seriously, as they may indicate deep ulcers that, although rare, may be due to stomach cancer.
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Between 7 and 10 percent of adults over age 50 have dysphagia. It is a condition characterized by difficulty or feeling of pain when swallowing. The possible causes are many, from weak facial muscles to Parkinson’s disease, cancer and GERD.
Sore throat
Having a sore throat, hoarse voice or feeling that there is a lump in the throat are common symptoms of acid reflux. 50 percent of patients with voice problems have acid reflux.