The primary symptom of acid reflux disease is heartburn, a burning sensation that rises from the stomach through the esophagus to the sternum or the throat. Usually, heartburn worsens when the sufferer changes his posture or just after the sufferer has eaten a large meal. Heartburn that only occurs every so often is not necessarily a sign of worse things, unless other acid reflux symptoms are present.
Severe heartburn is associated with acid reflux and it is often the presenting complaint. It is vital that a physician ensure that any severe chest pains are caused by acid reflux rather than by heart problems such as angina or infarction. In cases of reflux disease, severe chest pain most often occurs at night, due to postural changes as noted above.
Dyspepsia is a chronic, recurrent pain centered in the area of the upper abdomen over the stomach. The pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or an unnatural sensation of stomach fullness. Dyspepsia is the second most common symptom of GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease). Dyspepsia may be present with or without concurrent acid reflux. The extent and expression of dyspepsia varies from person-to-person, and is generally not indicative of the presence or extent of damage to the esophagus.
The second most frequent acid reflux symptom is regurgitation, the abrupt experience of the contents of the stomach flowing back up the esophagus into the mouth or throat. In extreme cases, the stomach contents may be belched or expelled. Such regurgitation is sometimes associated with nausea. However, sporadic regurgitation, especially in children, is not itself an indication of reflux disease.
There are many symptoms of acid reflux disease. Some of the less common ones may include coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, sore throat, stuffy head, or hiccups. Chronic nausea may also be present and may persist off and on for months. These are not the usual symptoms of acid reflux but may be present in certain cases and should be considered as warning signs.
A diagnosis of acid reflux disease can usually be made by your primary care physician or nurse practitioner. A safe trial of acid reflux medication will make the tentative diagnosis definite
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