In a recent study published by British Medical Council, 22% of people from south India suffer from GE reflux disorder. Commonly seen as a lifestyle disorder in urban dwellers and in the elderly population,in male individualsand with those with obesity and habit of pan masala chewing.
GERD is one of the most troublesome problems that can be identified early to provide symptomatic relief, treat the problem and prevent progression. So, if you are experiencing these symptoms, visit a Gastroenterologist at BIG.
Heart Burn
Heartburnis a typical symptom of GERD and acid reflux and is self-diagnosable. It is perceived as a burning sensation in the middle of your chest, when it is perceived as a pain than a burning sensation, it can be confused with a heart attack. If you get a severe heart burn, seek immediate medical attention. Heart burn occurs when you lie down a part of stomach juice escape through the LES valve (lower oesophageal sphincter a circular muscle which closes and opens your oesophagus after food passes to the stomach) and flow back all through the food pipe leaving a bitter taste in your mouth and burning sensation in your chest. Heart burn can happen if the stomach is stretched a lot due to a large meal and relatively high when you lie down. This can also happen even if your stomach half empty, when you lean forward or certain food that triggers.
Chest Pain
People often gets confused with the heart attack pain with sharp tender pain caused by acid reflux. Chest pain can also be one of the most possible causes for acid reflux. One cannot ignore the chest pain as it can be a sign of heart attack as well. One can distinguish chest pain caused due to heart attack and GERD related pain through the spread. Unlike cardiacchest pain that radiatesthroughout your body including arms, back, shoulders and neck, chest paincaused due to GERDaffect the upper area of chest and just underneath the breastbone without much affecting the left arm. You should seek a doctor immediately if the chest pain gets worse.
Chronic cough
Sick in bed with a cough may be very distressing. It remains untroublesome if bad cough lasts only for a week. But ifthe symptoms persists, there may be sign of chronic cough which is one of the common symptom of GERD. Cough do occur as defensivereaction of the body when the stomach acidrises above the oesophagus entering as micro droplets into your lungs and land in larynx. They occasionally make their way to bronchial tree resulting in laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).
Pay attention to your symptoms. Visit the GI specialist if cough persists.
Sore throat
Sore throatis often a symptom of many conditionsand can be a very silent symptom of GERD.When the stomach acid makes its entry in to your food pipe, it can cause discomfort in the throat causing irritation in the vocal chord with frequent hiccups. If your throat gets inflamedjust right after the meal,it may be a marked sign to GERD.
It’s good to see a GI doctor, if you experience severe sore throats frequently.
Difficulty Swallowing
Although difficulty swallowing can be a side effect of some types of cancer that blocks the throat or the oesophagus, it is common among all age groups, especially the elderly. Trouble in swallowing is nothing but having a difficulty in passing food down the throat or a feel that food is getting choked while swallowing. Difficulty swallowingcan also be a serious complication due to oesophagealdamage caused by acid reflux.
It is important that you get evaluated by a GI specialist, if you have any difficulty in swallowing without any hesitation.
Nausea/ Vomiting
Nausea and Vomiting can happen anytime anywhere due to varied reasons. Indigestion and sour throat in the mouth created when stomach juices stay in the lining of food pipe trigger nausea and sometimes even vomiting. There is high possibility that you are prone to GERD, if you feel nauseated right after meals.
Discussion
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” because it takes minimal effort to prevent than to cure.
Making lifestyle changes, following a healthy diet, avoiding smoke and following some home remedies as a natural way to prevent acid reflux and heart burning at a very early stage. Things get complicated if left untreated. Proper diagnosis and a prompt visit to a GI doctor help you to manage and prevent acid reflux. Do not hesitate to visit GI doctor if you have heartburn, nauseated, chest pain, persistent cough, and bitter taste in your mouth or have a difficulty in swallowing in order to get a right treatment at the right time as underreporting a problem may turn costly.