9 symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux you should not be subjective

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by a doctor from the Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Gastroesophageal reflux often develops silently, giving patients subjective psychology, misjudging the nature of the disease. If not detected and treated early, the disease can progress, leaving irreversible damage.

1. What is gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as acid reflux, is a long-term condition in which stomach contents back up into the esophagus, leading to symptoms or complications. Symptoms include burning behind the breastbone, vomiting, acid taste in the mouth, heartburn, shortness of breath, chronic cough, chest pain and even bad breath, worn teeth. Complications include ulcerative esophagitis, esophageal stricture and Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal cancer.
Diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease is usually made when there are typical symptoms: heat behind the breastbone, heartburn. Evaluation of response to proton pump inhibitors can also be considered a diagnostic method. However, in subjects with high warning signs such as dysphagia, gastrointestinal bleeding, weight loss and anemia, further investigation should be carried out to exclude complications as well as related cancer diseases.
Lifestyle changes are an integral part of the initial treatment of GERD. Patients should raise the head of the bed to enhance the elimination of esophageal acid at night. Smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided, which have deleterious effects on lower esophageal sphincter pressure, acid clearance, and epithelial function. Reduce the volume per serving and limit the consumption of fat, gas, and chocolate. Coffee, tea and carbonated drinks should be avoided as they stimulate acid production. Tomato juice and citrus products can worsen reflux symptoms..
If gastroesophageal reflux is not detected early and treated promptly and properly, it will cause serious problems. Complications such as ulcerative esophagitis, esophageal stricture, Barrett's esophagus and increased risk of esophageal cancer (Adenocarcinoma).

2. Be careful with 9 symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease

2.1 Heartburn when lying down The stomach acid will flow up into the esophagus more if the patient is lying down or bending over - causing heartburn.
This mechanism is because when standing upright, the body's gravity keeps food in place in the stomach. But when gravity is reduced by lying down, acid reflux is more likely to occur.
Stomach acid creates a burning sensation from the breastbone to the throat and causes the patient to have a sour feeling in the mouth. This is a basic sign that helps identify gastroesophageal reflux disease. And to relieve heartburn, patients should keep their head elevated while sleeping and should not eat much before going to bed;
2.2 Chest pain Occurs due to acid in the stomach and sometimes food back up into the esophagus, causing the patient to feel tight and uncomfortable in the chest area. The patient may experience severe, mild, long or short pain;
2.3 Sore throat after eating The phenomenon of sore throat after eating, especially after eating a lot is often due to the stomach being overloaded, causing gastric juices and food to back up into the esophagus. For people with gastroesophageal reflux, it is best not to eat too much, limit foods rich in fat, do not smoke and drink alcohol to alleviate this symptom;
2.4 Bitter mouth In some patients, gastroesophageal reflux causes the pyloric valve to open and close excessively, bile reflux from the duodenum into the stomach, along with gastric juice up the esophagus, into the oral cavity causing bitterness. mouth. If experiencing this symptom, especially at night, the patient should see a doctor soon for an accurate diagnosis;
2.5 Nausea If the patient feels nauseous for no reason, especially after eating, it may be because they have reflux disease. This phenomenon is caused by stomach spasms constantly pushing acid and food out, making the patient nausea and vomiting;

2.6 Hoarseness, cough, asthma Gastric acid reflux into the esophagus will cause inflammation of the vocal cords. Coughs caused by reflux can become chronic and eventually turn into asthma.
Therefore, when having hoarseness or sore throat, especially when this symptom appears after eating or is accompanied by symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, the patient should be cautious because this is one of the symptoms. manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease;
2.7 Stomach Heat People with acid reflux have a burning sensation in their stomach. This phenomenon is due to the high amount of acid that irritates the stomach lining, makes the stomach hurt, causes stomach burning;
2.8 Excessive salivation Excessive salivation is also a very common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease. When you have acid reflux, your body reacts by producing more saliva to neutralize stomach acid.
2.9 Difficulty swallowing Repeated gastroesophageal reflux will damage the esophageal mucosa, cause inflammation of the esophageal tissue, leading to esophageal stricture and the patient will have difficulty swallowing.
As soon as one or more symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux appear as above, the patient should quickly see a doctor to determine the exact health problem that he is having and have a treatment plan. timely and effective.

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