What is Acid Reflux and How do I Know if I Have it?
Acid reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is technically defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach.
Symptoms of heartburn in adults is the major symptom of acid reflux, characterized by a burning discomfort behind the breastbone. Some of the symptoms of acid reflux in adults include difficulty swallowing and chronic throat and chest pain. Some people may have only one of those symptoms.
Atypical symptoms of acid reflux include burning sensation at the base of the throat, cough, hoarseness, changes of the voice, chronic ear ache, or sinusitis.
Complications of acid reflux include stricture formation, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal ulcers and possibly even esophageal cancer.
Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has acid reflux. Patients that have heartburn symptoms more than once a week are at risk of developing acid reflux. The presence of a hiatal...