Symptoms

Heartburn

   One of the major symptoms of GERD is heartburn. Heartburn is the burning pain felt in the chest and throat when acid comes up from the stomach. The acid stimulates nerve fibers, which often causes the burning sensation. Some patients experience a sharp pressed pain rather than a burning sensation. Heartburn may occur after bending, eating a full meal, lying down or lifting something. The symptoms for heartburn and heart attack are similar so it is vital to know how to distinguish one from the other. When having a heart attack, the burning goes down the left arm or both arms. When a patient has GERD, the burning is felt in the upper chest. GERD is usually not affected and likely to worsen with exercise, unlike a heart attack.

Regurgitation

   Another major symptom of GERD is regurgitation. This is refluxed liquid that appears in the mouth. In most patients, there is only a small amount of liquid in the esophagus that stays in the lower esophagus. Sometimes, the amount of liquid refluxed is larger and can contain pieces of food. When this occurs, the substance can reach the upper esophagus. The upper esophageal sphincter, a circular ring of muscle, is situated at the upper end of the esophagus. It prevents substances in the esophagus from going up into the throat. When a small amount of refluxed food or liquid gets through the upper esophageal sphincter and comes up into the throat, an acid taste is experienced in the mouth. If the quantity refluxed is larger, patients may have a mouthful of liquid or food. If regurgitation continues, the acid could erode teeth, causing permanent damage.

Hoarseness

   The reflux of stomach acid sometimes reaches the throat and larynx, which is the voice box, and thus can cause hoarseness or soreness in the throat.

Asthma

   Some nerves that have been affected by the reflux of acid also affect nerves in the lungs. This causes the bronchus to become less functional, which causes breathing difficulty and could progress to asthma.

Trouble swallowing (Dysphagia)

   Choking may also result, leading to chest pain. This also causes the esophagus to narrow for a short duration.

   Other symptoms include chest pain, dry coughs, and the sensation of a bump in the throat.

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