The Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a relatively common disorder characterized by severe acid reflux and heartburn. This medical condition forces stomach acid back up into the patient’s esophagus, which leads to permanent esophageal damage and even cancer. GERD can develop at any stage from infancy to late-adulthood, but there are a range of treatments which can help manage these symptoms.
(If you’re interested in finding a clinical trial nearby, please check out our main page on GERD.)
GERD Symptoms in Infants
The digestive system in a newborn is underdeveloped. This makes them more susceptible to experiencing the effects of GERD, especially during the first couple months. Fortunately, most cases of infantile GERD are very mild and will clear up on their own within the first year. Pediatric symptoms of GERD include:
- Coughing
- Burping
- Wheezing
- Spitting up
- Bad breath
- Repeated vomiting
- Severe crying
- Refusing milk or food
- Crying for milk or food, then refusing it, then crying for it again
- Failure to gain sufficient weight
If your baby presents with any of the following indications, then you should seek immediate medical attention:
- Blood in vomit
- GERD symptoms more than twice each week
- Unexpected weight loss
- Black, tarry, bloody or dark red stools
- Chronic sore throat
- No relief from acid reflux medication
- Chronic sore throat
- Unrelenting hiccups
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unrelenting nausea
- Black, tarry, bloody or dark red stools
- Symptoms of a heart attack
Adult Symptoms of GERD
People living with GERD normally experience the symptoms following a meal, but they also can have issues while lifting heavy objects or lying down. Clinical studies have shown that many patients experience more pronounced symptoms during the night. It’s also quite common for women to experience many of these symptoms during pregnancy (over half of all expectant mothers deal with heartburn and acid reflux).
You should consider talking to a gastroenterologist about GERD if you’ve been struggling with any of the following symptoms:
- Heartburn
- Excessive burping
- Regurgitation
- Acid reflux
- Unusually bad breath
- Chest pain
- Nausea, usually after eating
- Sensation of food being stuck in the esophagus (dysphagia)
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Increased salivation (water brash)
- Esophageal strictures
- Abdominal pain
- Discomfort or pain while swallowing (odynophagia)
- Reflux esophagitis
- Esophageal adenocarcinoma
- Bloating of the stomach
- Choking sensations
- Pharyngitis
- Sinusitis
- Asthma
- Sensitive teeth
- Laryngitis
- Chronic coughing
GERD Can Permanently Damage the Esophagus
Most people living with GERD will not develop any further complications. However, this disease can scar the esophagus if the proper steps aren’t taken to treat and manage these symptoms. Scarring causes the esophagus to become more narrow, producing what are called strictures.
An esophageal stricture can then cause people to experience extreme discomfort like food getting stuck in their esophagus (this is a condition known as dysphagia). The simple act of swallowing then becomes quite daunting. Further damage can lead to the development of Barrett’s esophagus. It’s a condition which further distorts the shape and color of the organ, while leaving the patient at significant risk for esophageal cancer.
Emergency Situation
In certain circumstances, people have overlooked the initial signs of a heart attack as simply acid reflux. The early indications may share some similarities, but this cardiovascular event can be fatal and can’t be ignored. If someone starts to develop the following symptoms, then please call 911 emergency immediately:
- Chest pain
- Simultaneously breaking out in sweat as chest pain builds
- Recurring buildup of pressure in the chest that lasts for a few minutes then subsides
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or nausea
Although GERD can be debilitating, many have learned how to effectively manage their symptoms and regain control over their life. There are a range of efficient medications available for this disorder, and even better therapeutic avenues are revealing themselves through the study of gastrointestinal conditions like this one. Just remember the frequent heartburn and acid reflux should not be ignored.