Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)/Heartburn
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GERD symptoms can occur at any time. However, they usually occur after overeating, or lying down after a big meal. Symptoms may last for a few minutes or a few hours. People who have possible symptoms of GERD should seek medical care.
Heartburn
The most common symptoms of GERD include:
- Heartburn – a burning feeling that starts in the lower chest and may move up the throat
-
Frequent, persistent, recurrent, or chronic indigestion. Symptoms of indigestion include:
- Upper abdominal pain or discomfort following a meal
- Burping, bloating, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting
- Regurgitation of stomach contents into the back of the mouth or throat
- Sour or bitter taste in the back of mouth or throat
- Symptoms worsen when bending over, lying down, exercising, or lifting heavy objects
Other symptoms of GERD may include:
- Sore throat or earache
- Bad breath
- Hoarseness
- Chronic cough
- Choking
- Wheezing or trouble breathing
- Insomnia
- Feeling of a lump in the throat
- Hoarse voice ( laryngitis )
- Difficulty or painful swallowing
- Chest pain Note: GERD can feel like the pain associated with a heart attack. Do not assume that chest pain is GERD or indigestion. If you have chest pains or other symptoms of a possible heart attack, call 911 immediately for emergency medical care.
- Sleep apnea (stopping breathing repeatedly throughout the night)
- Recurrent vomiting or failure to thrive in infants
Long-term complications of GERD may include:
- Esophagitis – inflammation of the esophagus
- Bleeding and ulcers in the esophagus
- Dental problems (due to the effect of stomach acid on tooth enamel)
- Chronic laryngitis
- Asthma attacks and/or pneumonia (During sleep, acid may reflux from the stomach into the throat, drain into the lungs, and cause irritation.)
- Barrett’s esophagus – a precancerous condition that can lead to esophageal cancer
- Esophageal cancer – may develop in patients who have Barrett’s esophagus
References:
American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: http://www.gastro.org/ . Accessed March 6, 2006.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information . 17th edition. Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 2000.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/ . Accessed March 7, 2006.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.ctsnet.org/ . Accessed March 7, 2006.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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