Signs of Acid Reflex?
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Introduction
GERD — gastroesophageal reflux disease — is more than just chronic heartburn. Although heartburn is the most common symptom of this disease, GERD is a condition in which stomach acid or, occasionally, bile flows back (refluxes) into your food pipe (esophagus). The constant backwash or acid reflux can irritate the lining of your esophagus and cause inflammation. Such irritation can lead to complications such as narrowing of the esophagus, ulcers and even a slightly increased risk of esophageal cancer.
Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications. But if you have GERD, these remedies may offer only temporary or partial relief. If you have GERD, you may need newer, more potent medications, possibly even surgery, to reduce symptoms.
Signs and symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:
Heartburn — burning sensation in your chest, sometimes spreading to the throat, along with a sour taste in your mouth.
Chest pain, especially at night while lying down
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Coughing, wheezing, asthma, hoarseness or sore throat
Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
Causes
How heartburn and GERD occur
When you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter — a circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus — relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then it closes again.
However, if this valve relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus, causing frequent heartburn and disrupting your daily life. The acid backup is worse when you bend over or lie down.
This constant backwash of acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus, causing it to become inflamed (esophagitis). Over time, the inflammation can erode the esophagus, producing bleeding, or narrow the esophagus, causing difficulty swallowing or even breathing problems. When there's evidence of esophageal irritation or inflammation, you have GERD. However, many people with GERD will have a normal-appearing esophagus despite symptoms.
GERD may be related to other conditions such as hiatal hernia. In this condition, also called diaphragmatic hernia, part of your stomach protrudes into your lower chest. If the protrusion is large, a hiatal hernia can worsen heartburn by further weakening the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.
Some factors that can make GERD worse include:
Certain foods, such as fatty foods, spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, onions, tomato sauce, carbonated beverages and mint
Alcohol
Large meals
Lying down soon after eating
Certain medications, including sedatives, tranquilizers and calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure
Cigarette smoking
Is it reflux?
One gets heartburn, waterbrash and belching.
Lots of burping, burning in your stomach, certain foods bother you (especially greasy foods), feeling bloated
You would have a burning acid problem up your esphogus. You should see a doctor this condition causes throat cancer
Depending on age infants can't hold down most of their intake- adults heartburn wet burp's ect.
You need to go to this site. www.medicinenet.com/gastroesop...
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