Acid reflux disease is a condition that develops when there is abnormal reflux of stomach acids into the esophagus. Most people experience this phenomenon occasionally, especially after eating.

When we eat, the body uses gastric and stomach acids to break down the food. After the food is digested in the stomach, it is normally delivered by the digestive muscles to the intestines for further digestion. However, in people who are suffering from acid reflux disease, the acidic contents of the stomach are carried back to the esophagus resulting in inflammation. Some of the factors responsible for aggravating acid reflux conditions are cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, pregnancy, and fatty foods.

Based on medical research, we now know that acid reflux is a disease that is common in both men and women. There is no sexual preference. The condition is also more prevalent in people who are 40 years of age or older.

The symptoms of acid reflux disease may be typical or atypical. Based on diagnosis of people suffering from the condition, only 70% of those with the disease had the same symptoms.

Typical or esophageal symptoms refer to those which are related to the esophagus. These symptoms include the following:

Heartburn. – This is a condition in which the person experiences a painful burning sensation in the esophagus. The pain often starts in the chest and may travel to the neck or throat. This sensation is most likely to be experienced after eating a heavy meal, lifting, bending over, or lying down. One study showed that about 75% of people with acid reflux experience these symptoms at night. The pain experienced by people whose symptoms occur at night also tend to be more severe than those whose symptoms occur at other times.

Dyspepsia – Studies show that about 50% of people with acid reflux have dyspepsia. This is a condition which causes pain and distress in the upper abdomen, nausea after a meal, and stomach fullness. However, the fact that a person has dyspepsia does not necessarily mean that he has acid reflux.

Regurgitation – This occurs when the gastric contents of the stomach back up into the pharynx and sometimes as far as the mouth. Respiratory complications can be triggered in cases where gastric acid spills into the tracheobronchial tree.

There are many instances when the symptoms of regurgitation and heartburn are not exhibited by people with acid reflux. What they experience are atypical or extraesophageal symptoms such as the following:

Throat Symptoms – Even though it does not happen often, people with acid reflux suffer from symptoms that occur in the throat. Hoarseness, the feeling of having a lump in the throat, dry cough by those with acid laryngitis, a throat symptom. People also experience difficulty in swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia. In critical cases food may get trapped in the throat causing the person to choke, which can result in severe chest pain. Chronic sore throat and persistent hiccups are symptoms also experienced.

Vomiting and Nausea – When a person suffers from nausea which lasts for weeks, he may have acid reflux. There are times when vomiting can occur as often as once a day.

Respiratory Symptoms – Respiratory symptoms include coughing and wheezing. These symptoms occur when stomach acids escape from the stomach and enter the tracheobronchial tree causing bronchoconstriction.

If proper medical attention is not received acid reflux disease can last for several months. Treatment with medications may only be required for a short time but when the symptoms occur repeatedly, such treatment may have to be resumed.

Author Bio: Selvin Flores is an Internet Marketer who owns several websites providing public information on various topics. To find out more about acid reflux, go to: Acid Reflux Disease

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: acid reflux disease, acid reflux, acid reflux treatment