GERD Symptoms - an uncomfortable condition

GERD is a short form for gastro esophageal reflux disease which is also referred to as acid reflux disease. GERD symptoms vary in different people and also depending on whether the person in this situation is a child or an adult. What is clear is that there are people who do not really know how to look for these symptoms. Here is a guideline to the most common GERD symptoms that are experienced by a GERD sufferer.

GERD, heartburn and acid reflux are all constituents of the same condition which is brought about by the stomach acids moving back up to the esophagus. This is usually due to a weakened esophageal sphincter which is a muscular valve in control of the food flow into the stomach. Sufferers experience heartburn as the common symptom. This is normally a burning sensation below the breastbone and since it seems like it originates from the heart, thus its name.

Acid reflux is a term given to describe the activity that leads to heartburn. Acid reflux is sometimes used synonymously with heartburn if it occurs often. On the other hand GERD symptoms are a chronic type of acid reflux condition that can have severe implications. Now that we understand a little more about the condition let's look at more GERD symptoms.

The heartburn that most people talk about is a pain caused by the backing up of stomach contents. It is, in most cases, accompanied by a burning feeling of acidic content that rises to the throat and the mouth. It has a foul taste and can lead to retching. This is the most common symptom especially among adults. The discomfort increases its intensity if a person is experiencing the heartburn while lying down. This is why the symptoms are more common at night. When you are lying down, the horizontal position allows stomach contents to back up more easily. This causes insomnia and sufferers usually wake up with sore throats.

GERD symptoms are simply symptoms that accompany any acid reflux, but you should not allow them to get more severe and common with time. In cases where GERD is more extreme individuals end up with an inflamed esophageal lining. This causes a lot of pain when swallowing and there will be an increase in the chest pains. In some cases these symptoms will occur simultaneously while in others each symptom occurs during its own time. The experience is somewhat frightening because people panic because they are not able to breathe normally.

There are other GERD symptoms which include voice changes, nausea, voice hoarseness, and coughing. In its extreme, it will change the esophagus lining to something similar to the intestines. This is only good because it can help in reducing heartburn but the dark side of it is that it can lead to cancer.

Younger people are not spared. The symptoms can also occur in children and infants and the unfortunate thing is that they are difficult to detect. Some of the common symptoms that can lead you to realizing that your child is suffering from GERD are vomiting, chronic coughing, respiratory problems and spitting. If you think you or you child are suffering from GERD, you should get diagnosed and start treatment. Many times your doctor will give you a diet that will eliminate the problem by taking out the foods causing the GERD symptoms. However, there are also so great many herbal remedies you may want to use along with your diet change.