GERD short form of Gastroesophageal Reflex disease is a disorder that affects the digestive system in which the acid produced from the stomach flows back into the esophagus or food pipe region. The back pressure of stomach acid will constantly irritate the soft mucus lining of the esophagus causing inflammation and heartburn. When this happens frequently affecting the quality of your life the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflex together called as GERD.
In many cases heartburn can be managed by resorting to over the counter medications but GERD can be cured by strong medications and even surgery in some cases. In short gastroesophageal reflux disease is the passing of stomach’s acid back into the esophageal region.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms :
Some of the signs of GERD (Acid Reflux)are given below :-
- Burning sensation in the chest region or heartburn
- It will produce sour taste in the mouth when the stomach’s acid spreads into the throat
- Persistent dry cough and occasional chest pain
- Difficulty in eating or swallowing food called medically as dysphagia
- Sore throat
- Sometimes the leftover food particles from the stomach will be sent back to the mouth through acid reflex
- Discomfort feeling in the oral cavity and throat when the acid from the stomach flows into it
- Feeling of lump like sensation in the throat
- It leaves bitter taste in the mouth
- Burning pain will last for extended hours after eating
GERD and heartburn is quite common in many people around the world and is influenced by taking fast foods and irregular fatty diet. According to the data available over 60 million adults in the USA will have heartburn symptoms once in a month and about 15 million people are having heartburn daily. Nowadays it has become common for children and even infants to have GERD symptoms.