Acid reflux disease is a condition in which stomach acids abnormally reflux into the esophagus. This phenomenon is irregularly experienced by most people, especially after eating.

Our body uses gastric and stomach acids to break down the food we eat. Typically, after digestion in the stomach, food is delivered by the digestive muscles to the intestines for further digestion. However, in patients with acid reflux disease, stomach acid contents back into the esophagus, causing inflammation. Cigarettes, alcohol, pregnancy, caffeine and fatty foods are some of the factors that worsens acid reflux conditions.

Our present knowledge about acid reflux based on medical research tells us that this disease is common in men and women. There is no sexual preference. Moreover, the prevalence of acid reflux is more common in people 40 years of age or older.

The symptoms of acid reflux may be typical or atypical. But based on the diagnosis of acid reflux patients, only 70% of people who have this disease manifest typical symptoms.

Typical symptoms or esophageal concern indicators which are related to the esophagus. These symptoms are:

Heartburn. This is a condition in which the patient feels a painful burning sensation in the esophagus. The pain often develops in the chest and may swell to the neck or throat. This is most likely to occur in connection with these activities: after a heavy meal, lifting, bending and lying. Based on a study, about 75% of acid reflux patients experience this symptom during the night. These patients almost on time also tend to experience more harsh pain than those whose symptom occurs at other times.

Dyspepsia. Research shows that about half of acid reflux patients have dyspepsia. This is a syndrome consisting of pain and anguish in the upper abdomen, nausea after a meal, and the fullness of the stomach. Not a rule however, that those who have dyspepsia have acid reflux.

Regurgitation. This is when stomach contents back up into the pharynx and sometimes even the mouth. In cases where the acids have spilled into the airway, respiratory complications can be stimulated.

There are many cases, however, that patients with acid reflux have no symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. Instead, they experience atypical symptoms or extraesophageal which include the following:

Throat symptoms. Although not common, patients who suffer from acid reflux symptoms that occur in the throat. Hoarseness, sensation of a lump in the throat, cough, dry are subjected by those who have acid laryngitis, a throat symptom. Patients may also have difficulty swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia. In critical cases, food can get caught in the throat or even choke, which can lead to severe chest pain. Other throat symptoms are chronic sore throat and persistent hiccups.

Vomiting and nausea. When a patient suffers from nausea which persists for weeks, you may have acid reflux. There are few instances where vomiting can occur as often as once a day.

Respiratory symptoms. Coughing and wheezing are considered respiratory symptoms. These are the result of the invasion of stomach acids in the tracheobronchial tree creating bronchoconstriction.

Acid reflux disease can last several months without receiving adequate medical care. Drug treatment may be required only for a short time. But when the symptoms tend to appear repeatedly, drug therapy may have to reapply.

Gilbert's Disease