Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux or more famously known as heartburn is a condition that occurs when the acid and the undigested food go back upward into the esophagus. The esophagus as we all know is a muscular tube designed to carry the food from the throat to the stomach where digestion occurs. The esophagus is not resistant with acid and this is poses a problem when acid reflux occurs. There are several not so pleasant acid reflux symptoms. These symptoms are not evident every after meal or every day. They may not even be evident for weeks, not until the pain starts to flare. Acid reflux is a lifelong illness that also requires a lifetime treatment. The term heart burn is related to the burning sensation felt by people suffering from acid reflux. The pain felt is a result of the acid literally burning its way up through the esophagus.

Another symptom of acid reflux is the regurgitation where the acid fires back up the esophagus and up to the mouth. The burning and painful sensation is accompanied with a bitter taste in the mouth. Some food particles may even be present during this condition. Regurgitation is considered as one of the many acid reflux symptoms.  Another symptom would be nausea, in cases where no other causes are attributed to it. The long term known symptoms of acid reflux includes dysphagia or odynophagia. The former refers to a difficulty in swallowing, mainly caused by the damage of the esophagus. Some suffers a burning sensation as if something is lodged in the esophagus. The latter refers to the burning sensation felt while swallowing the food. Patients with chronic odynophagia condition are often too afraid to eat.

Coughing, wheezing and even pneumonia are also known acid reflux symptoms. These symptoms can occur when undigested material or acid is aspirated, or inhaled, into your lungs. Gums get irritated and tooth decay become more evident as the acid goes up the mouth. Serious cases of acid reflux also give burning sensation to the mouth when too much saliva is present. When acid reflux is left untreated for a long period of time, the lining of the esophagus gets too much damage. This condition is also referred to as the Barrett’s Esophagus. This condition often leads to cancer. When the illness reaches this stage, the patient is required to undergo periodic tests and radical acid reflux treatments.