Acne Treatments Guide - Articles

Heartburn, a burning sensation that radiates from the stomach to just behind the sternum or even to the throat, is the primary symptom of acid reflux disease. Heartburn is typically worse after a heavy meal and during postural changes, especially while lying on the back. Occasional heartburn is common and not necessarily indicative of reflux disease, unless other acid reflux symptoms are noted.

The pain associated with severe heartburn is the most common presenting complaint of acid reflux. It is important to get a doctor to evaluate the pain and verify that acid reflux is the cause rather than a cardiac event such as angina or infarction. The severe pain associated with reflux is most common at night due to the previously noted postural changes.

The second most common symptom is dyspepsia, a chronic or recurrent pain centered in the upper abdomen. As with other acid reflux symptoms, the extent or expression of dyspepsia is varied and does not indicate the extent of damage to the esophagus. This pain may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, or may express itself as only a sensation of fullness in the stomach. Again, dyspepsia may be present without reflux.

The next most common of the acid reflux symptoms is regurgitation, a sudden feeling of the stomach contents flowing back up the esophagus into the throat or mouth. In severe cases, the contents may actually be burped or even vomited. Regurgitation may or may not be associated with nausea. Occasional regurgitation occurs, especially in children, and by itself does not indicate reflux disease.

There are many symptoms of acid reflux disease. Some of the less common ones may include coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, sore throat, stuffy head, or hiccups. Chronic nausea may also be present and may persist off and on for months. These are not the usual symptoms of acid reflux but may be present in certain cases and should be considered as warning signs.

Usually a diagnosis of acid reflux disease can be made without difficulty by a primary care physician. However, the multitude of symptoms that manifest in acid reflux requires that all differential diagnosis should be ruled out before declaring a definitive diagnosis. When a difficult case presents itself, a trial dosage of medication to temporarily stop stomach acid secretion often produces a clear diagnosis.