What Are Acid Reflux Symptoms?

What is acid reflux?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the esophagus- the tube connecting your mouth and stomach. Most people are able to manage the discomfort with lifestyle changes and medications.

Symptoms

Symptoms of acid reflux can include:
● Burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), usually after eating, can be worse at night or while lying down
● Backwash (regurgitation) of food or chyme
● Upper abdominal or chest pain
● Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
● Sensation of a lump in the throat
● Burping
● Dry cough or clearing throat repeatedly
● Nausea
● Bloating
● Sour taste in the mouth
● Sore throat, hoarseness, or laryngitis

Risk factors for GERD

● Overweight
● Earring large meals or overeating
● Consuming citrus fruits, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, peppermint, fatty foods, spicy foods
● Smoking
● Pregnancy
● History of hiatal hernia
● Using non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (aspirin or ibuprofen)

Lifestyle

Lifestyle changes that can improve symptoms include:
● Maintain a healthy weight
● Eat smaller more frequent meals
● Avoid citrus fruits, fatty or spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, or
other triggers
● Dont smoke
● Avoid laying down for two to three hours after eating meals
● When laying down, try to elevate your head 6 inches

Medications

Medications for the treatment of acid reflux symptoms can include:
● Antacids: pepto-bismol, tums; these will help symptoms, but won’t fix any damage to the esophagus that is caused by stomach acid

● H-2 receptor blockers: famotidine, ranitidine, cimetidine; this class of medication will reduce the amount of acid that is produced by the body, they can help relieve symptoms
for longer periods of time.
● Proton pump inhibitors (PPI): omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole; these medications block the acid that the body makes, which allows for the esophagus to heal.
If lifestyle modifications, over the counter products, and prescription medications do not work; surgery may be a possible treatment for acid reflux.

Summary:

• GERD Definition: Stomach acid flows into the esophagus causing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
• Common Symptoms: Heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, lump in throat, burping, coughing, nausea, bloating, sour taste, and throat issues.
• Risk Factors: Overweight, large meals, specific food and drink consumption, smoking, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, and NSAID use.
• Lifestyle Changes: Maintain healthy weight, eat smaller meals, avoid triggers, quit smoking, don’t lie down after eating, elevate head while lying down.
• Medication Options: Antacids for symptom relief, H-2 receptor blockers to reduce acid production, Proton Pump Inhibitors to block acid and promote esophageal healing. Surgery considered if other treatments fail.

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