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What Are The Symptoms Of Acid
Reflux
Acid reflux occurs when acid and other materials in the stomach
back up--reflux--into the esophagus, the muscular tube that
carries food from the throat to the stomach. Acid reflux is
associated with several unpleasant symptoms. It should be noted
that these acid reflux symptoms do not occur every meal or even
every day. They may even disappear for a few weeks, but they
eventually come back. Once acid reflux is diagnosed, it is
considered a lifelong condition and should be treated as such.
Some of the more common acid reflux symptoms include:
Heartburn
When people think of acid reflux symptoms, most of them think
of heartburn first. Heartburn is an unpleasant burning
sensation in the chest. It may occur after a large meal, or
when you are lying down trying to rest. Heartburn is caused by
stomach acid literally burning the esophagus.
Regurgitation
Regurgitation is an acid reflux symptom that occurs when the
stomach acid backs all the way into the throat and mouth. It
usually causes a bitter taste and a painful, burning sensation
in the throat. Some sufferers even report small pieces of food
coming back up into the mouth.
Nausea
A less common symptom of acid reflux is nausea. Acid reflux is
often suspected when there is no other obvious cause for
nausea.
Dysphagia Or Odynophagia
Dysphagia is an acid reflux symptom that refers to difficulty
swallowing. People feel that the food gets "stuck" somewhere in
the esophagus. Odynophagia refers to painful swallowing. The
pain can be so intense that some people become afraid of
eating. These two symptoms of acid reflux usually occur after
the reflux has been going on long enough to damage the
esophagus.
Problems Breathing
Material in the esophagus may be sucked--"aspirated"--into the
lungs where it can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing,
and pneumonia.
Oral Symptoms
Acid refluxed from the stomach into the mouth can irritate the
gums and cause tooth decay as well as an unpleasant taste and
the feeling of excessive saliva in the mouth.
Barrett's Esophagus
Finally, acid reflux that has been going on unchecked can
eventually cause the cells that line the esophagus to change.
These changes are known as Barrett's Esophagus and will develop
into cancer in about 10% of patients. People with Barrett's
Esophagus should undergo periodic exams and should continue to
receive aggressive treatment for their acid
reflux.
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