Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
There are typically three symptoms of GERD that is uncomplicated. Those three symptoms that most people have and are very common are heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea. If someone has a less common form of GERD then there will be other complications that do not fall into what people commonly go through when they are affected by GERD.
Heartburn is the most common and can happen to a person with GERD daily, weekly, or monthly. This is when the acid reflux backs up into the esophagus which stimulates the nerve fibers in the esophagus. This results in the pain known as heartburn which is basically a burning pain in the middle of the chest. It may start high in the abdomen and can extend up into the neck. For some people it may be sharp or have a lot of pressure to it, and for some it can feel as if it is moving up and down constantly.
Heartburn most often occurs either when you haven't eaten anything at all and there is just a build up of acid, or after meals that contain spicy or fatty foods. Heartburn also occurs more often when you are lying down because there is nothing to keep the acid down such as gravity. Heartburn happens every so often depending on your diet and your weight. The more in shape you are, and the better you eat, the less likely you are to have heartburn on a regular basis.
Regurgitation is another symptom that occurs when there is the appearance of refluxed liquid in the mouth. Most people with GERD only have small amounts of liquid that remain in the lower esophagus that are suddenly thrust up making you feel as if you are vomiting a small amount. This happens when a small amount of refluxed liquid get through the upper esophageal sphincter or ring of muscles where they are usually prevented from going.
Finally there is nausea which is rather uncommon, but does happen from time to time in some patients. It may result in vomiting or it could just be an uncomfortable feeling in your stomach that is unexplained and doesn't come in combination with any medical illnesses or sicknesses. When this happens GERD is most often the cause.
There is no real reason why some patients only experience heartburn and while others have regurgitation or nausea. However, if you have one, two, or all three of these symptoms it is important to discuss it with your doctor so you can get treatment before it gets any worse.