Typical reflux symptoms are heartburn, which worsens when lying down or stooping, as well as the regurgitation of air or gastric juice from the stomach into the esophagus and mouth. The sufferers also often suffer from a pressure pain behind the breastbone, which is easily confused with pain in the heart region. In addition, there are a whole host of other reflux disease symptoms. Recognizing reflux is important because the esophagus can be damaged by constant contact with the acid gastric juice. Read here everything important for reflux symptoms.
Reflux – symptoms due to stomach acid
In reflux disease, acidic gastric juice enters the esophagus from the stomach due to muscle weakness of the sphincter or increased pressure within the abdomen. The mucosal lining of the esophagus is not created for contact with acid compared to the gastric mucosa. On contact with the acid, among other things, there is a burning pain – the well-known heartburn.
Reflux symptoms are very common in the Western population. About 20 percent of the population suffer from reflux symptoms. Women are more often affected by the complaints than men. With age, the incidence of reflux disease increases. However, even babies and toddlers may rarely suffer from reflux symptoms.
Reflux symptoms – heartburn
The typical symptoms of reflux disease are heartburn and a pressure sensation behind the sternum. For most sufferers, the symptoms worsen when lying down or bending over. These changes in position of the body support by gravity the unwanted reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus. The burning pain behind the sternum is felt to be extremely uncomfortable and often worsens after large meals. Heartburn is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints of western industrialized countries. Heartburn and regurgitation are often triggered or aggravated by alcohol, coffee, nicotine and stress. Patients also complain of a salty or soapy taste in the mouth after eating.
Reflux symptoms – feeling of pressure in the chest
The reflux symptoms heartburn and pressure pain behind the breastbone are often attributed by the patients to the heart first. Without further examination, the reflux symptoms are usually difficult to differentiate from an acute heart disease (heart attack). Patients with a feeling of pressure in the chest should always consult a doctor. Only with further examinations (ECG, blood test, etc.) can further evidence on the cause of the feeling of pressure in the thorax be obtained. While reflux is not acutely life-threatening, no time should be lost in a heart attack.
Reflux symptoms – difficulty swallowing
The mucous membrane of the esophagus is significantly more easily inflamed by the increased acid contact in the reflux disease. The irritated mucous membrane is a good breeding ground for bacteria and food particles are easier to adhere to it. Mucosal irritation often causes patients to suffer from difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). The contact of the food to the mucous membrane piesackt the inflamed tissue in addition and leads to pain. Patients often report the feeling of “having a lump in their throats”. Other people feel a persistent dryness, which can not be eliminated even with plenty of drinking.
Reflux symptoms – bad breath and belching
The permanent irritation of the esophageal mucosa has the consequence that bacteria and food remains more easily on the inflamed mucosa. The inflamed tissue is a good breeding ground for bacteria. The germs produce substances that are excreted by the breath and perceived as bad breath (Halitosis).
When food meets stomach acid and digestive enzymes in the stomach, gases are produced. This is quite normal, but especially pronounced with increased gastric acidity. In patients suffering from a weak lower sphincter of the esophagus, it is easier for the gases to escape “upwards” towards the esophagus than to escape the long way of the intestine. Patients with reflux symptoms often get upset.
Reflux Symptoms – damage to tooth enamel
Classic reflux symptoms are also an acid load on the teeth and the associated damage to the enamel. The enamel is usually the hardest and most robust substance of the body and protects the teeth from external influences. If the acid gastric juice even reaches the mouth when belching, it attacks the enamel. As a rule, this first becomes noticeable on the tooth necks. The enamel can not be repaired by the body, so injury is irreversible.
Reflux Symptoms – Cough and damage to the respiratory tract
In some patients, gastric acid may rise to the point where it enters the airways. This causes reflux symptoms that are associated with damage to the airways and the resulting coughing. Those affected complain of a chronic cough, especially at night. The ascending gastric acid also can damage the larynx and cause laryngitis with hoarseness. If the gastric acid is “inhaled”, the damaged tissue is a good breeding ground for bacteria, as a result, pneumonia (aspiration pneumonia) can easily arise. Aspiration pneumonia is a very serious complication that may be life threatening.
Reflux symptoms in babies and young children
Reflux symptoms can already occur in infancy. However, the symptoms of reflux disease are different than in adults: the children have problems with feeding when breastfeeding or drinking. They behave uneasily and scream increasingly. Some babies stretch their heads and torso backwards to ease food intake. Other children break up more often after eating. Since children at this age can not pronounce their complaints yet, a watching eye is required by the parents. Since persistent disturbances in food intake can lead to growth and developmental disorders, the reflux symptoms in children should be treated in time.
Recognize reflux symptoms
The symptoms of reflux disease are extremely unpleasant for those affected and affect the quality of life. For example, people with reflux-related bad breath suffer particularly because they are ashamed of it and the bad breath can affect even through a thorough oral hygiene difficult. Even avoiding certain foods that stimulate gastric acid production can help improve the symptoms of reflux. In addition, you should move enough to stimulate digestion. As a result, the stomach contents flow more quickly into the small intestine. Thus, the risk for reflux of the stomach contents is lowered. Patients should observe their dietary and lifestyle habits and be mindful of them, which may improve or worsen reflux symptoms.
Recognizing reflux symptoms is usually not difficult. Still, reflux is not always treated today, although that would be easily possible. Patients often trivialize the symptoms and fail to recognize that the reflux disease can cause serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia or, in the worst case, even esophageal cancer. If patients are serious about reflux disease, adjust their habits and start treatment with medication, such complications are usually preventable. The demarcation of Reflux symptoms to other causes such as heart disease, however, is only possible by a doctor.