Acid Reflux Symptoms
(Heartburn Symptoms)

What are acid reflux symptoms?

What does heartburn feel like?

The main symptoms of acid reflux disease are usually most noticeable immediately after eating a large meal or lying flat or when bending over, according to stomach anatomy. Read more about acid reflux diet…

Sings and symptoms of acid reflux disease

The most common acid reflux symptoms are:

• Burning pain or discomfort in the centre of the chest behind the breastbone and/or upper abdomen, known as heartburn. Heartburn is the most important acid reflux symptom. What does heartburn feel like? It is an unpleasant burning sensation or discomfort in the middle of the chest behind the breastbone or upper abdomen area. This feeling can last for a few hours and become worse if the person lies down after a meal or bends over. Severe acid reflux pain might resemble heart attack or angina therefore it is important to differentiate between heartburn and heart attack.
  
  Regurgitation of acidic fluid into the throat and mouth causing painful burning sensation in the throat, mouth area and sour taste in the mouth. It happens when the stomach acid and contents back all the way into the throat and mouth. Sometimes even small pieces of food are coming back into the mouth. These are the most direct and striking symptoms of acid reflux. Read about acid reflux home remedies….
• Problems with swallowing, as difficult or trouble or painful swallowing are peculiar acid reflux symptoms.
• Sore throat is one of the very common symptom of acid reflux disease. The regurgitation of acidic stomach contents cause irritation to the throat. The sufferer will experience all symptoms of acute throat pain. That is why acid reflux and sore throat are often related.

 

Less common acid reflux symptoms include:

• Gastric acid reflux into the mouth can irritate the gums and teeth, causing hypersensitivity or erosion of the teeth (due to acid) and creating a sour or unpleasant taste. Oral symptoms of acid reflux are caused by severe acid reflux disease.
• Production of more saliva (excessive salivation) happens quite often as the body’s natural response. Saliva is slightly basic therefore it can act as a light antacid and neutralise excess acids. So, it is rather a compensation than a symptom of acid reflux.
• Persistent, chronic cough and sometimes asthma at night is often related to acid reflux disease. There are many nerves in the lower esophagus and some of them provoke coughing if the refluxed acid stimulates them. In this way refluxed liquid can cause coughing without ever reaching the throat.
  In a similar way reflux into the lower esophagus might stimulate nerves that stimulate nerves going to the lungs. These nerves can cause the smaller breathing tubes to narrow, resulting in difficult breathing and/or attack of asthma.
  Cough and/or asthma are common indirect symptoms of acid reflux.
• Hoarseness of the voice is often accompanying symptom of acid reflux. If the refluxed acidic stomach liquid enters the voice box (larynx) it will cause irritation and inflammation of the vocal cords and therefore hoarseness and throat clearing. However, it is still unclear how acid reflux disease is truly responsible for otherwise unexplained hoarseness.
• Nausea is an uncommon acid reflux symptom. However, in some patients it may be frequent or severe and can result in vomiting. In patients with unexplained nausea and/or vomiting, acid reflux is one of the first conditions to be considered. It remains unclear why some people with acid reflux develop mainly heartburn and others mainly nausea.

As you can see acid reflux symptoms are not always directly related to real acidic regurgitation. In case of obstinate symptom(s) seek medical help in order to rule out more serious conditions.

Take your acid reflux symptoms or heartburn symptoms seriously!

Related pages:

Acid Reflux Causes

Acid Reflux Diet

Acid Reflux Home Remedies

Heartburn Remedies

Heartburn and Pregnancy

 

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