GERD Symptoms

What exactly are GERD Symptoms? There are a lot of people today that are intimately familiar with acid reflux which is just a shorter name for "gastro esophageal reflux disease" or GERD.

Statistics indicate that more than 50 million people experience a bout of acid reflux at least once a month.

Acid reflux disease, which is also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can reflect a variety of symptoms:

Heartburn: This is also known as acid indigestion, and is often a burning pain that can move up from the stomach to the chest. The pain will often move into the throat as well.

Regurgitation: This is the sensation of acid backing up into your throat or mouth. Regurgitation can produce a sour taste, and is often accompanied by vomiting into the throat or mouth.

Dyspepsia: Many sufferers of GERD symptoms will also experience a syndrome known as dyspepsia. Dyspepsia has its own set of symptoms, and may include chronic burping, nausea after eating, bloating or fullness in the stomach, as well as upper abdominal pain and discomfort.

Most of the symptoms of acid reflux can cause an inflammation of the esophagus. When this happens, the lining of the esophagus can be damaged by the stomach acid, and may cause bleeding.

While this condition is extremely common today and rarely becomes serious, it is best to not ignore any symptoms, and a physician should be consulted to determine how serious your acid reflux may be.

There are certain foods that should be avoided when suffering from GERD. By avoiding consumption of these foods, you can lessen the effects of this condition, and reduce the amount of attacks altogether:

? Citrus fruits
? Chocolate
? Caffeine
? Alcohol
? Spicy, fatty and fried foods
? Garlic and onions
? Peppermint
? Tomatoes

Chronic Acid Reflux

As with most conditions and syndromes affecting the body at any given time, even acid reflux can reach a critical and chronic condition.

This is a possible condition if you are not achieving lasting relief from medication, or if symptoms occur more than two times a week for more than two weeks.

A doctor should be contacted immediately if you experience any of the more alarming symptoms of chronic GERD:

? Weight loss

? Blood in vomit

? Black, tar-like or blood-colored stool

? Difficulty or pain while swallowing

? Wheezing or a dry cough

? Hoarseness, especially in the morning

? Chronic sore throat

? Hiccups that will not stop

? Nausea, sometimes lasting for weeks or months

There may also be times when dealing with chronic acid reflux, that patients may experience symptoms similar to those of a heart attack.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately:

? Chest pain or pressure that lasts a few minutes and then fades

? Pain or discomfort in the neck, shoulder or jaw

? Shortness of breath

? Dizziness or light-headedness

? Sweating or nausea

These GERD symptoms of may often appear at night when they will typically produce the most pain.

It is best to keep in mind, however, that the level of pain is no measurement for the amount of potential damage that can be caused by the stomach acid to inflamed tissues.

It is best to consult a doctor immediately if you have any of the symptoms or signs.