Home  Acid Reflux Facts and figures Symptoms
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Symptoms - If you suffer from GERD, you will probably experience heartburn.
- Heartburn is a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest up towards the neck.
- Other symptoms include regurgitation (the stomach content may come up into the mouth), chest pain, a difficulty in swallowing (a condition called dysphagia),
hoarseness and asthma.
- You may produce gas and belch, feel bloated or suffer from indigestion.
Figure 2: Esophagitis - endoscopic view
Patients with reflux esophagitis experience a burning sensation in the lower chest immediately after swallowing hot fluids, (eg tea and coffee), alcohol, concentrated fruit juices or hot, fatty food.
Reflux esophagitis is associated with damage (e.g. erosions - a shallow open sore limited to the inner lining of esophagus or rarely ulcers - a deep open sore) to the lining of the esophagus. In some people, medicines and lifestyle changes will allow the lining of the esophagus to heal and return to normal. However, repeated damage and scarring of the esophagus can lead to narrowing of the esophagus, and this may result in difficulty in swallowing (also known as dysphagia).
- Swallowed food may come back (regurgitate) into the mouth, and in addition you may vomit too.
- You may suffer from a cough, particularly at night.
- You may experience hoarseness, a sore throat and throat clearing.
- You may develop asthma or wheezing.
- Some people suffer from dental diseases due to reflux.
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