Symptoms of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux can affect anyone from infants to the elderly. It occurs when acid in the stomach is pushed back up through the esophagus. There are many reasons this can occur. If you have an ulcer, your stomach has more acid than it needs. If you eats too quickly, undigested food can clog the passageway causing it and stomach acid to come back up. If you participates in physical activity too soon after eating, your might develop acid reflux.

There are five major symptoms to be on the lookout for if you think you might have acid reflux. See your doctor if the symptoms get worse over time or are so uncomfortable that they interfere with your everyday life.

The first symptom is a burning sensation around the heart and lungs. This can occur minutes after finishing a meal or during the meal. The pain could last a few minutes to a few days. This is usually the most severe of all the symptoms and the most uncomfortable. People often equate the pain to having a heart attack.

If you are suffering from this burning, take an antacid pill and lie down for a few minutes. Often this symptom will disappear once you are comfortable. Also, try to drink a glass of water, which will help to free any food stuck in the digestive tract.

The second symptom of acid reflux is persistent coughing and burping throughout the day. This can mean that there is too much gas inside the stomach. When gas moves in the stomach, it can also cause stomach acid to escape. The acid can move near the lungs, and cause coughing. If you have had a bad cough for more than two weeks without other cold symptoms, see your doctor.

The loss of one’s voice for a prolonged period is the third symptom of acid reflux. Often voice loss is caused by the excessive coughing and dry throat sometimes evident with acid reflux. If you suffer from acid reflux, you may also experience other minor cold-like symptoms. These symptoms, if caused by the common cold will typically disappear after about a week. Acid reflux will cause them to return or prolong them indefinitely.

A sour taste in the mouth is the fourth symptom of acid reflux. This symptom can persist for months, and should be brought to the attention of your doctor.

The fifth symptom of acid reflux is hoarseness, which is also caused by coughing too much.

Though many of these symptoms are often associated with a simple cold, experiencing them together should be enough for you to visit your doctor. A few easy tests are all it will take to provide a diagnosis. If you do have acid reflux, your doctor can provide you with information and medication to control it.

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