Do you suffer from heartburn? Do you regularly notice a burning feeling or tightness in your chest following eating?
You may suffer from acid reflux disease, which is also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It’s a common problem in Utah and across the United States. In fact, more than 60 million Americans suffer from heartburn each month.
According to Dr. John Bennett, an ENT doctor in Salt Lake City, Utah, “The most common symptom of acid reflux is actually a vague sensation of fullness in the throat, from the swelling around the voice box that the refluxed acid can cause. Reflux is often perceived as post-nasal drip.”
We’ve listed 6 symptoms of acid reflux disease below. These symptoms can be short-lived or last for several hours or even days. The good news is that you can quickly relieve and eliminate acid reflux symptoms by eating over-the counter antacid tablets like Tums, Rolaids, and generic store brands. Prescription medicines like Pepcid, Tagament and Zantac can also provide relief.
Acid Reflux Symptoms
- Heartburn. A burning feeling in your chest that typically appears soon after eating. This is called heartburn or acid indigestion. Though heartburn may feel painful, it does not damage or affect your heart.
- Regurgitation. That burning feeling in your chest is often accompanied by a burning sensation in the throat and/or a sour, acidic taste in your mouth. In some cases, you may vomit a small amount of stomach acid.
- Difficulty swallowing. You may feel difficulty swallowing as you eat. You may have the sense that food is “sticking” in your throat or even a feeling of choking.
- Hoarseness. Your voice may become hoarse and, in some cases, you may even lose your voice while you are symptomatic.
- Dyspepsia. Some people who have acid reflux disease also suffer from a syndrome called dyspepsia, which is another term for indigestion. Dyspepsia symptoms include burping, stomach fullness and bloating.
- Wheezing and/or asthma-like symptoms. Many people who suffer from asthma also suffer from acid reflux or GERD. The wheezing and coughing happens when stomach acid is aspirated from the esophagus to the lungs.
Contact the Ear, Nose and Throat Center to Treat Acid Reflux Disease
The Ear, Nose and Throat Center doctors regularly treat patients across Utah and the Wasatch Front who suffer from acid reflux disease, GERD, heartburn and indigestion. While acid reflux disease is a chronic condition, which means there is no cure, there are a number of dietary and lifestyle changes you can make to help manage your symptoms.
Click to learn how lifestyle changes and avoiding heartburn trigger foods can help you avoid reflux
Contact us today at 801-328-2522. And learn steps you can take to eliminate the symptoms of acid reflux disease from your life.
