What Are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is so common that most people take this for granted. Little do they know about the complications of acid reflux that would arise if it is untreated. If acid reflux is left untreated, it can lead to a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus, which is a precancerous state. Because of this reason, it is essential that you recognize the symptoms of acid reflux. It is important to know and understand the symptoms of acid reflux.
Chest pain
This is one of the classic symptoms of acid reflux. This is a result of acid reflux into the esophagus. This pain will be very severe sometimes and last for a longer time. Many people confuse this chest pain as a heart attack. Patients with a heart attack can present with similar symptoms and therefore it is vital to bear this in mind. If you have a chest pain, make sure to visit your doctor as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of it being a heart attack.
The pain is aggravated when you lie down
Gravity helps to keep the food and the acid in your stomach but when you lay on your bed the acid tends to reflux more into your esophagus. This worsens the pain. This is the main reason why patients with acid reflux are advised to keep the head end of the body elevated and to avoid heavy meals just before bed time.
Pain is severe after a meal
After a meal, especially after a heavy meal, the acid production from your stomach increases to aid in digestion and absorption of the food.
Metallic taste at the back of your tongue
Sometimes the acid escaping to your esophagus can move all the ways up to your throat and give a metallic taste. You may choke sometimes as a result of this. According to gastroenterologists, if you wake up choking at night, you are advised to visit a doctor as soon as possible. You will be prescribed acid suppressing tablets to control the acid reflux.
Your voice changes
People tend to take this lightly but remember that hoarseness of your voice is also another symptom of acid reflux. This is due to the fact that the acid that escapes your stomach can go up to the vocal cords and irritate them. This results in a change of voice.
Sore throat
If your sore throat does not accompany a cold or sneezing, and if you tend to get it only after meals, then you have heartburn. This could be a sign of acid reflux.
Cough
Presence of a cough may just mean that you are having an upper respiratory tract infection but it can also be due to acid reflux. Sometimes the acid that escape in to your esophagus goes down your wind pipe and in to your lungs which results in a cough.
Feeling nauseated
If you feel nausea especially after a meal, this could be a sign of acid reflux. Your doctor might prescribe you some antacids to bring down this nausea.
Increased production of saliva
This is another symptom of acid reflux. This is actually a type of defense mechanism produced by the body to get rid of a irritants from the esophagus.
