Acid reflux, characterized by a burning sensation in the chest and discomfort after eating, can sometimes progress to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if left unmanaged. Explore the symptoms of acid reflux, know when to seek medical help, and learn how to manage your symptoms effectively through lifestyle changes and treatments.
You’ve likely experienced that uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest after a hearty meal or a late-night snack. You might think that acid reflux is just an occasional nuisance, but it could become a bigger issue when left unmanaged. This article allows you to explore the symptoms to watch out for, recognize when it might be more than just indigestion, and learn when you need to seek medical advice.
| What is Acid Reflux? |
| Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when stomach acid flows backward into the tube connecting your throat to your stomach, called the esophagus. During an episode of acid reflux, you might feel a burning sensation in your chest, commonly referred to as heartburn. Chronic acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can damage your esophagus tissues over time.3 |
How do I know if I have acid reflux?
One of the most common signs is that uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest after a hearty meal or when you take your late-night snack. However, there are other signs and symptoms that you should watch out for:
1. Heartburn
Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux. It typically feels like a burning sensation in the chest, often behind the breastbone. Factors like weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES), trigger foods, lying down after eating, obesity, and pregnancy contribute to heartburn. Stomach acid traveling up toward the throat causes heartburn1. Heartburn typically happens after eating, especially after eating large, rich meals2.
2. Nausea
When stomach acids and food particles flow back up into the esophagus, it can lead to a sour taste in the mouth, frequent burping, coughing, and ultimately nausea. Nausea can happen on its own or occur with other symptoms such as heartburn, bloating, and belching3.
3. Regurgitation
Regurgitation occurs when the contents of the stomach flow back up into the esophagus and even reach the mouth. The esophagus is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach, and it's normally checked by the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle that prevents stomach acids from rising. However, when regurgitation happens frequently, it could be an indication of GERD and may lead to irritation of the stomach lining, esophagus, and throat4.
4. Persistent Cough
Acid reflux can lead to coughing when stomach acid irritates the throat or gets inhaled. If this happens consistently, it can result in a chronic cough, wheezing, and other breathing issues. While occasional acid reflux might trigger a cough, a persistent cough is often a sign of GERD5.
5. Hoarse Voice
Repeated exposure to stomach acid can impact the voice box6, leading to discomfort while speaking, a sore throat, and noticeable changes in your voice. Hoarseness tends to be more pronounced in the morning and gradually improves as the day goes on.
6. Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)
Dysphagia, the medical term for difficulty swallowing, can occur when you have acid reflux7. However, this symptom is more commonly associated with GERD. GERD can affect the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), the area between the esophagus and the back of the throat, and may also cause the esophagus to become overly sensitive to stomach acid, leading to swallowing difficulties.
7. Frequent Asthma Attacks7
Asthma and acid reflux often occur together8, although the exact link isn’t fully understood. What we do know is that acid reflux can worsen asthma, and conversely, asthma can exacerbate acid reflux, especially in cases of GERD. In addition, Bronchospasm can worsen underlying asthma and cause coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
What Should I Do When I Start Seeing Signs?
Calm down. Breathe and relax.
When you start to feel the signs or symptoms of acid reflux, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate what you’ve been doing and eating. To help you start, one of the first things you should do is adjust your diet and watch what you’re taking. Diet plays a major role in controlling acid reflux symptoms.9 It’s good to start avoiding trigger foods such as those that are spicy, fatty, acidic, or citrus-based. 9 You may also want to opt for smaller meals and limit your alcohol and caffeine intake.10
Choose food that’s good for acidic people, such as vegetables (green beans, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, etc.), ginger, oatmeal, lean meat, and ripe bananas, to include a few.9 Although these will help you manage your acid reflux, neutralize stomach acid, and reduce its risks, none of these will treat effectively GERD or acid reflux.
From Acid Reflux to GERD: It’s Time to See a Doctor
If you've initially managed your occasional heartburn with antacids, but your symptoms worsen over time, leading to persistent chest pain, frequent regurgitation, and difficulty swallowing, then it’s time to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
When left untreated, GERD may cause damage to your esophagus, increase the risk of esophagus cancer, and lead to tooth decay.11
Treatment options typically begin with lifestyle modifications, but a healthcare professional may also prescribe stronger medications or recommend surgery like fundoplication in more severe cases. Following a healthcare provider's advice, treatment regimen is crucial to managing GERD effectively and preventing potential complications.
Get Fast Relief from Acid Reflux
Though we talked about the importance of lifestyle changes, sometimes you just need quick relief from the pain of acid reflux. That’s where Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon) comes in handy.
Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon) contains active ingredients that provide effective relief from the following symptoms in as fast as three minutes and lasts up to four hours:
- Heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Bitter or acidic taste in your mouth or throat
It works by forming a protective barrier over your stomach contents, stopping acid from rising and soothing the burning sensation in your chest. Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon) is available in tablet and sachet formats.
Available at leading drug stores and pharmacies nationwide and on the Reckitt Health and Beauty on Lazada and Reckitt Health Official Shop on Shopee.
References:
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - Symptoms and causes. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940
- (n.d.). Acid reflux disease symptoms, causes, tests, and treatments. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/what-is-acid-reflux-disease
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Acid reflux & GERD: Symptoms, what it is, causes, treatment. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17019-acid-reflux-gerd
- Medical News Today. (n.d.). Regurgitation: What you need to know. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/regurgitation
- Verywell Health. (n.d.). What can cause a persistent cough?. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-can-cause-a-persistent-cough-1742993
- Verywell Health. (n.d.). What is acid reflux and how do you get rid of it?. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-acid-reflux-7570741
- (n.d.). GERD and dysphagia: Why it happens and treatment options. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/dysphagia#why-it-happens
- Li, J. T. C. (March 30, 2023). Asthma and acid reflux: Are they linked?. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/expert-answers/asthma-and-acid-reflux/faq-20057993
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). GERD Diet: Foods That Help with Acid Reflux (Heartburn). Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/gerd-diet-foods-that-help-with-acid-reflux-heartburn
- Stepko, Barbara. AARP. (November 16, 2021). 8 Foods That Help Acid Reflux and Heartburn. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2017/foods-help-acid-reflux-fd.html
- WebMD Editorial Contributors. (March 8, 2024). Complications of Heartburn and GERD. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/untreated-heartburn
