Do you have a hard time keeping that horrible stuff in your stomach from rising into your throat? Possibly the heartburn you are feeling is not typical; it could be a case of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition wherein the acid and food inside your belly goes up the duodenum and occasionally into your mouth or lungs. GERD is pretty prevalent, affecting up to 20% of American citizens. While several characteristics make some persons more susceptible to the condition, including obesity, continuous overeating, and more, diagnosing it is not always straightforward. For this reason, GERD / acid reflux Houston specialist Dr. Vikram S Jayanty outlines some of the early warning signs to watch out for if you suspect you might be suffering from this condition. Read on to find out more. Click here healthcare uniforms australia for getting various types of healthcare uniforms.
1. Chronic Heartburn
Chronic heartburn is easy to recognize since it is precisely what it sounds like: a burning sensation within your chest. However, considering that heartburn is a separate condition, most persons do not join the dots and recognize that recurrent heartburn could be a sign of more severe concern. Occasional regurgitation and heartburn are normal to some extent, but if heartburn occurs regularly, it is probably GERD.
2. Bitter Taste
Once bile begins spewing bile and food outside your stomach and up your throat, your stomach’s acidic contents could leave a sour taste in your mouth. They also leave a scorching-hot track up your esophagus, causing a sore, burning throat and forcing your tongue to produce excessive saliva in attempting to extinguish the flames.
Like any genuine fire, this symptom should not be taken lightly, as it could sometimes lead to more significant issues, such as esophagitis, hiatal hernia, esophageal ulcers, and more.
3. Difficulty Swallowing
Those suffering from GERD issues might have difficulty swallowing or feel as though particular foods become trapped in their throat when they attempt to swallow. This condition is also known as dysphagia, and if you cannot bring yourself to consume something because of the lump in your throat, it could result in unhealthy weight loss. Many patients find that certain foods, such as caffeine, chocolate, acidic, or spicy meals, aggravate their symptoms; hence, they should avoid them. Furthermore, eating many small meals and allowing enough time (not less than 3-4 hours) between your meal and bedtime may help.
4. Feelings Of A Heart Attack
At this point, some investigative work may become necessary. Considering the heart is situated in the chest, where GERD develops, GERD symptoms are sometimes misdiagnosed as cardiac symptoms. Likewise, cardiac pain, such as a heart attack, might be misdiagnosed as GERD. If you are uncertain if your chest pain is caused by GERD or heart problems, see your doctor immediately to rule out any potentially life-threatening heart abnormalities before you start worrying about GERD.
5. Coughing
As stomach acid moves up your esophagus, some may end up in your lungs, triggering respiratory problems. These concerns range from minor issues like hoarseness, chest congestion, and chronic coughing to more significant issues like asthma, wheezing, pneumonia, etc. The issue is that GERD is not the most prevalent cause of these atypical concerns; hence, one must undergo a series of tests before your doctor can identify that GERD is to blame.
While determining whether you have GERD might be a guessing game at times, the great news is that you will have several alternatives for symptom alleviation and therapy if you are diagnosed. In addition to avoiding the trigger foods and beverages and making healthy lifestyle adjustments, Dr. Jayanty provides medications to help reduce acid generation and, if necessary, surgery. Call the Houston, TX office or use the online booking tool to schedule an initial consultation today.
