Esophageal reflux, also known as GERD, is a common medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The symptoms of esophageal reflux vary, but the most common symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, regurgitation, or dysphagia (trouble swallowing). The heartburn is sometimes confused with a heart attack because the pain is located in the epigastic and chest area. However, unlike a heart attack, heartburn feels more like a gradual burn and irritating feeling, while a heart attack is more of a crushing, smothering feeling. The indigestion that comes with esophageal reflux typically comes after a meal, especially a large or heavy one, and leaves an unpleasant feeling inside the esophagus and abdomen. Regurgitation, or the expulsion of food from the mouth, is also common. However, this should not be associated with vomiting. Whereas vomiting is a forceful expulsion of food, the regurgitation from esophageal reflux may be tiny bits of food or hardened bits of white smelly material that can be quickly swallowed back in, leaving a bitter aftertaste. The dysphagia that comes with esophageal reflux is due to stomach acid irritating the esophagus. Sometimes, dysphagia is also a serious sign of complications of esophageal reflux that must be handled immediately.

Other symptoms seen with esophageal reflux include nausea, vomiting, odynophagia (pain with swallowing), and water brash. Water brash is the sour taste in the back of the mouth after a burp or a bout of heartburn that causes increased salivation and acid refluxing into the oropharynx. The sour taste comes from the stomach acid brought upwards. The nausea and vomiting come from irritation of the upper gastrointestinal tract from stomach acid. If the acid reflux is severe enough, it can Some less obvious symptoms tied to esophageal reflux include chronic cough, continual throat clearing, hoarseness, asthma (from acid damaging the lining of the bronchial airways), and erosion of dental enamel. All of these symptoms are secondary to damage from stomach acid. If these symptoms are present, immediate medical attention is warranted.

More serious but rarer symptoms that can be caused by esophageal reflux include cancer-mimicking symptoms such as lack of hunger, wasting away, dysphagia, and dark tarry stools. Usually these symptoms occur after years of untreated esophageal reflux. These symptoms indicate that the esophageal reflux has damaged the upper gastrointestinal tract enough to cause cancer. The continual cycle of stomach acid damaging the esophageal linings and the cells healing themselves can trigger dysplasia in cells later in life and eventually cause cancer.

These symptoms can be treated initially without medical management. Simple lifestyle changes such as sleeping with the upper half of the bed elevated, eating smaller meals, avoiding acidic and heavy foods, and losing weight can provide relief of these symptoms. In addition, cessation of smoking also helps relieve these symptoms. If such lifestyle changes do not help much, medications may be needed to help manage esophageal reflux. Luckily, there are many medications on the market now that can be used to treat esophageal reflux. Some can be obtained over the counter while others require a physician’s prescription. For more information on the causes and cures for esophageal reflux be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Over 60 million Americans suffer from esophageal reflux disease according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Sufferers of esophageal reflux disease, also referred to as acid reflux, describe the feeling as an extreme tightness, a burning sensation, or an explosion in the chest. Esophageal reflux disease is a result of a backup of acids from the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) into the esophagus, a 25 centimeter long passageway between the throat and the stomach. Because the esophagus is not equipped with the acid-resistant lining of the stomach, massive heartburn is felt upon acid reflux or backflow. The symptoms, causes, and treatment of esophageal reflux disease are detailed.

Symptoms

The physiological symptoms of esophageal reflux disease are described as follows:

• Heartburn that exceeds two days
• Stomachache
• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Persistent coughing, wheezing, or choking
• Hoarseness
• Regurgitation of food or bitter liquid when lying down or bending

Causes/Factor
The main cause of esophageal reflux disease is a weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a valve between the esophagus and stomach that opens as food and liquid travel into the stomach. One factor that causes the LES to weaken is the excessive consumption of caffeinated beverages. Other factors linked to esophageal reflux disease include the following:

• Pregnancy, wherein a woman’s body experiences hormonal changes and abdominal pressure
• Obesity
• Lying down after meals
• Alcoholism
• Smoking

For more information on esophageal reflux disease and cures be sure to check out Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Over 60 million Americans have symptoms of Acid Reflux at least once a month, and many have symptoms daily. These can include heartburn,regurgitation, nausea, a feeling of fullness, upper abdominal pain and discomfort, burping and even wheezing. People with asthma are very likely to have GERD, or acid reflux.

Doctors consider acid reflux to be a chronic condition. Once it develops, it usually lasts for an entire lifetime. Symptoms get better and worse, but never completely go away for long. Most symptoms, and most damage, occur during the night, when it’s time to rest and recuperate for the coming day. Episodes come and go, but they always come back.

The familiar discomfort of heartburn can develop into actual pain that is hard to distinguish from heart attack. When heart attack symptoms are confused with acid reflux, a medical emergency could develop or the patient could even die from the heart attack.

Uncontrolled acid reflux can cause more than momentary discomfort. It can scar the esophagus and cause it to narrow. This can make swallowing difficult. Some people get a sensation that food is stuck in the esophagus.

It can also cause an esophageal ulcer. Sometimes ulcers bleed, and heavy bleeding may require treatment with blood transfusions.

The throat and larynx may become inflamed with resulting hoarseness. Fluid may also enter the sinuses and middle ear, causing infection. Problems with the voice may develop because of acid reflux.

In more severe cases, cells in the lining of the esophagus can become misshapen and abnormal in color. This is called Barrett’s esophagus. This condition could even develop into cancer. Esophageal cancer is extremely serious, with a survival rate of only 15%.

Worrisome symptoms of advanced acid reflux include weight loss, black or tarry stools, vomiting of blood, and pain or trouble in swallow. Wheezing or a dry cough could develop. Morning hoarseness or persistent sore throat, hiccups that seem to last forever, and nausea that lingers for weeks are other alarm bells that the condition is out of control.

Unfortunately, sometimes serious complications can develop without warning signs. A person could develop cancer without even being aware of the condition before it is too late.

Asthma sufferers with acid reflux often experience increased symptoms, especially at night. These can include wheezing, dry cough, or even a full-blown asthma attack.

Another risk is aspiration pneumonia or other severe conditions caused when stomach contents back up into the lungs. They may include pus in the lungs, swelling and inflammation, or pneumonia. Symptoms of these conditions may include chest pain and cough with bad smelling phlegm, greenish phlegm, and bluish color of the skin. Fatigue, fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, excessive sweating, and difficulty swallowing are other symptoms.

People with acid reflux have been known to try many different remedies to get relief. They may sleep with the head elevated, sometimes even resorting to sleeping in an easy chair. Usually, acid reflux is a minor problem. It can get out of hand and even become life threatening. Don’t risk serious complications. Get it under control today. For more information on the acid reflux condition and potential cures be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, affects millions of Americans every year, with most of them experiencing the painful symptoms at least once a month. Determining if you have acid reflux is relatively simple once you learn to recognize the symptoms of acid reflux in men.

Heartburn
The painful discomfort that moves from the stomach to the middle of the abdomen and chest can also affect the throat. While it doesn?t affect your heart, the acid indigestion that causes the pain can make you feel as if your heart is on fire.

Regurgitation
If you have ever belched and found that some stomach acid moved back up into your throat or mouth, you have experienced this uncomfortable symptom. The taste can be sour or bitter, and it may contain some of your stomach contents.

Dyspepsia
General stomach pain or discomfort is referred to as dyspepsia. Burping, bloating, overly full stomach, nausea that occurs eating and upper abdominal pain are some of the symptoms.

Dysphagia
Acid reflux will gradually damage the interior of your esophagus. As this occurs, swallowing will become more difficult and can even become painful. If you have a sore throat that won?t go away, it may actually be a damaged esophagus from acid reflux.

Nausea after eating
If you find that your stomach is upset after you eat more than 20% of the time, you should make an appointment with your doctor to determine if you have acid reflux or a more serious condition.

Serious Symptoms
There are some symptoms that can indicate serious problems and should not be ignored. These include weight loss, blood seen in vomit, stools that are tarry or maroon in color, painful swallowing, wheezing, hoarseness, chronic sore throat, nausea that lasts for several days and hiccups that never stop.

Signs that it’s a Heart Attack instead of Indigestion
If you experience any of the following symptoms you should call 9-1-1 immediately as you may have having a heart attack.

• pain that is in the neck, jaw or shoulder
• shortness of breath, even if there is no chest pain
• dizziness, nausea, lightheaded feeling
• sweating at the same time the chest is hurting

Understanding Acid Reflux
Acid reflux symptoms are most likely to strike during certain circumstances. Eating a large or heavy meal can bring them on, as can bending over or trying to lift something heavy. Lying on your back can also bring the pain on. Many people find that the symptoms are more severe at night for this reason.

Foods to Avoid
Certain foods can make the reflux worse and should be avoided. These include citrus fruits and acidic vegetables, chocolate, spicy foods, garlic, onions, tomatoes, peppermint and caffeine. Avoiding these foods may help you avoid the misery of acid reflux.

For more information on acid reflux symptoms and cures be sure to download the Reflux Remedy Report at refluxrememdy.com today!