Acid reflux is a condition that occurs when the tube used to transport the food to the stomach from the throat is too weak and is not able to handle the acid, thereby producing some GERD symptoms. The food taken in is digested with the acid it produces and stores. The walls of the stomach should be strong enough for it to be capable of storing the acid without causing any damage. However, when the acid flows from the stomach into the esophagus, GERD occurs with different symptoms. Read on and learn about some of the acid refux symptoms.

Acid Refux Symptoms:

1. Heartburn – this is the main symptom of GERD. Heartburn is a burning sensation that runs up to the chest and the throat from the stomach. According to a certain study, almost 3 quarters of patients frequently experiencing heartburn symptoms experience heartburn at night. This condition most likely occurs in connection with some activities such as:

- After eating a heavy meal;
- Lifting;
- Bending over;
- Lying down on the back

2. Dyspepsia – Half of those diagnosed with GERD can experience dyspepsia through the following conditions:

- Pain and discomfort particularly in the upper part of the abdomen;
- Nausea after eating;
- Feeling of fullness

However, it is important to remember that it is possible to have dyspepsia without having GERD.

3. Regurgitation – this condition is described as the feeling of acid backed up in the throat. It is sometimes called “wet burp” when the acid is pushed to the mouth. If the acid is forced back to the mouth, it causes the feeling of throwing up..

Not So Common GERD Symptoms:

There are some acid relfux patients who do not experience the primary acid relfux symptoms. Rather, they experience not so common GERD symptoms such as:

1. Burning Sensation or Pain in the Chest – while this condition can also be a symptom of other medical conditions such as angina and heart attack, this condition characterized by the feeling of having food behind the breastbone can also manifest when the patient has heartburn.

2. GERD Symptoms experienced in the throat – some of these are:

- Acid laryngitis – this condition is characterized by dry cough, hoarseness, feeling of lump in the throat, and the need to clear the throat repeatedly
- Dysphagia (trouble swallowing) – in some cases, heartburn may cause the patient to choke or have difficulty in swallowing the food, thereby causing severe chest pain.
- Persistent hiccups
- Chronic sore throat

3. Respiratory Symptoms – a certain medical study states that almost 40% of those non-smoking patients with acid reflux experience coughing and wheezing.

4. Vomiting and Chronic Nausea – nausea that lasts for a long time may also be one of the GERD symptoms. In some cases, vomiting may occur once a day. However, all other possible causes of vomiting and chronic nausea should be ruled out with proper diagnosis, including stomach cancer, ulcers, gallbladder or pancreatic disorders.