upper esophageal sphincter

April 14, 2011

Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms

Acid reflux disease is a condition that occurs when the enzymes and acids in the stomach are hyperactive and escape the stomach making their way to the esophagus causing the esophagus and the chest and even the abdominal region to burn. This is what is known as heartburn. There is a ring shaped valve that is located at the bottom of the esophagus, top of the stomach. This valve is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The job of the LES is to allow food to pass through the esophagus to the stomach. Immediately after food passes through the esophagus, the valve is to close quickly and tightly allowing for the stomach acids to work at digesting the food that has been passed to it. When this valve neglects to close, or if this valve opens too frequently there is a possibility for acid to escape the stomach and reach the esophagus causing acid reflux.

When the upper part of the stomach and the LES move above the diaphragm, this can cause acid reflux, as well. This is known as a hiatal hernia. The diaphragm helps to keep acids in the stomach. If you are suffering from a hiatal hernia, stomach acids can move into your esophagus causing acid reflux symptoms.

Symptoms for acid reflux can vary from person to person. Out of the thousands of people that suffer from acid reflux every day, there are those who refer to the symptoms they experience as mild or a little uncomfortable while others report a debilitating pain.

Symptoms for acid reflux include, but are not limited to:

  • Heartburn: Heartburn is the most common acid reflux disease symptom. When the nerve fibers of the esophagus are stimulated by the stomach acids that have reached the esophagus there is a burning sensation that we refer to as heartburn. Heartburn may start as high as the throat and can make its way down into the lower abdomen. Though most sufferers experience heartburn as a burning sensation, there are those who have reported a sharp, stabbing or pressure-like pain in the chest that can often be confused with experiencing a heart attack. There are rare instances where heartburn may be felt in the back.
  • Regurgitation: Regurgitation happens when consumed foods and liquids are expulsed from the mouth via the stomach and esophagus. In this instance, the acids, liquids and sometimes food, travels from the stomach through the LES to the upper esophageal sphincter (USE) and enters the throat. There may be a sour of bitter taste in the mouth followed by heavy salivation which inevitably leads to regurgitation. If this happens often, the acids that reach the mouth may cause erosion of the teeth and gums.
  • Nausea: Nausea is a symptom that is less common but when experienced can result in vomiting. There is no known reason why there are some acid reflux sufferers that experience heartburn while others are nauseated. These two symptoms rarely occur together.

These are the most common acid reflux disease symptoms. For more symptoms of treatments be sure to visit www.refluxremedy.com

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