Do You often experience an acidic mouth feeling accompanied by a pain in the chest to the throat? It could be a symptom of GERD. Get to know what GERD symptoms are.
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or gastric acid disease is caused by the weakening of the valve or sphincter located in the lower esophagus.
Normally, this valve will open to allow food and beverages to enter the stomach and be digested. After food or drinks enter the stomach, the valve will be closed tightly to prevent gastric contents from returning up to the esophagus.
But in GERD sufferers, the valve is weakened, so it cannot close properly. This results in gastric contents containing food and sour stomach rise into the esophagus.
If this condition occurs continuously, the esophagus layer will be irritated to inflammation and the duration of weakness becomes weaker.
Read also: What To Drink For Acid Reflux?
How common is this stomach acid disease?
GERD disease is a common condition that anyone can experience, both male and female. However, the risks of experiencing GERD disease tend to be higher in people who:
- Obesity
- Connective tissue disorder (scleroderma)
- Pregnant woman
- Active Smo**ker
- Often drink alco**hol
But don’t worry, you can reduce the risk of developing these stomach acid rises by reducing the risk factors you have. Consult with your doctor to find out more information.
What are the GERD symptoms and signs?
The main symptom of GERD is that when the stomach acid is supposed to remain in the digestive system, it rises back upward. As a result, the stomach acid will pass through the esophagus valve open.
The condition will then make most people feel a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn). Sensation such as burning or antacids due to GERD is the emergence of heat or discomfort in the back of the breastbone.
This can usually get worse when you are finished eating, lying down or bending. Broadly, the GERD symptoms are:
Chest pressure
Many people often think GERD caused a heart attack. This is because GERD can also cause extreme and painful pressures in the chest that propagating to other parts of the body. This is caused by gastric acid that irritates the esophagus and the pain spreads to the arms, neck, or back.
In fact, GERD disease is not related to heart disease. There is a difference between GERD and heart pain. GERD pain is usually accompanied by pain and heat in the chest, while heart disease like chest pain is pressed on the left and then spread to the left hand and lasts for 10 minutes.
Excessive saliva
When a person experiences GERD, stomach acid can enter the throat, making the mouth more saliva. Saliva that comes out usually also feels more acidic than usual.
In rare cases, GERD sufferers can excrete as much as two teaspoons of saliva per minute in response to gastric acid that irritates the esophagus.
10 other GERD symptoms
- Feel like there is food stuck in the esophagus, hard to swallow, as well as hiccups
- Experiencing sensation of burning heat in the chest (heartburn), which can spread to the neck
- Chest pain
- Acid or bitter taste arises in the mouth
- There is fluid or food that rises from the stomach to the mouth
- Respiratory problems, such as chronic cough and asthma
- Hoarseny
- Sore throat.
- Dyspepsia, this symptom will make the sufferer feel nauseous after eating, pain in the upper abdomen, belching, and stomach feeling very full
- Dysphagia or symptoms that occur with a person cannot swallow food.
There may still be signs and symptoms of GERD disease not mentioned above. When you are worried about a certain symptom, consult immediately with your doctor.
Read also: GERD in Babies: Symptoms and Treatment
Causes of GERD disease
A study found an increase in people with GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) can be caused by eating patterns that consume more chocolate, cheese, meat, fast food, excess salt, and less consuming fruit and Vegetables.
In addition, the increase in gastric acid also commonly occurs because of eating in too many portions, as well as directly lying after eating.
However, the rise of gastric acid that causes GERD disease, usually has other causes. In fact, it can lead to symptoms or complications that are serious enough, so it needs doctor’s treatment.
Read also: How To Cure GERD Permanently in 6 Ways
