The chest in my heart had been on fire, especially after eating. I usually had a taste of acid in my mouth and felt like the stomach was coming up these symptoms made me feel worse. My throat felt itchy, and I could have some difficulties when swallowing. It was getting unbearable and interfering with my everyday activities.

I went to the nearby medical centre -LeanCare Health, to discuss this matter. The nurse listened to me and suggested that we should check if there was anything wrong with my oesophagus and stomach by doing a test known as an endoscopy. The diagnosis was gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The physician explained how GERD leads to these symptoms and outlined remedies such as lifestyle adjustments, drugs or dietary changes which would be applied for the management of the condition.

Persistent Heartburn and Acid Regurgitation

One of the key features of GERD is persistent heartburn; a burning sensation behind the breastbone which occurs after meals most often. This discomfort results from when acid flows back into your oesophagus from your stomach. Another symptom common among patients suffering from GERD is acid regurgitation resulting in a sour/bitter taste in your mouth.

Difficulty Swallowing and Sore Throat

In severe cases of GERD, dysphagia can occur due to irritation and inflammation within the esophagus walls preventing food from making its way into the stomach easily. There could also be sore throat feelings like something stuck in one’s voice box/tickle at the back of one’s throat caused by acid which burns the lining on through down into the pharynx or larynx.

Cough and Hoarseness

A chronic cough typically at night may be indicative that you have GERD symptoms when reflux is impacting your airways. GERD can also cause hoarseness of the voice and voice changes as a result of acid that irritates vocal cords.

Chest Pain and Breathing Issues

Sometimes, GERD causes chest pain that may be mistaken for other heart conditions. This pain is usually associated with acid reflux and it can be relieved by taking antacids. Sometimes one could experience a wheeze or tightness in the chest when the acid gets into the lungs.

Nausea and Bad Breath

If you are experiencing continuous nausea, it might mean that you have GERD which results from high levels of stomach acid. Halitosis or bad breath arises when there is some stomach acid together with partially digested food in the oesophagus. This can indicate an unpleasant symptom of GERD but one that occurs frequently.

Dental Erosion and Erosion of the Esophagus

When a person has been suffering from GERD for long periods, this will lead to dental erosion which in turn wears away your enamel due to stomach acids. It can also damage the lining of one’s esophagus hence causing such disorders as esophagitis or even pre-cancerous Barrett’s esophagus.

Recognizing GERD and Seeking Help

GERD may take its time before it develops, with people ignoring their signs as nothing more than occasional discomforts. Early identification of these symptoms therefore becomes important to ensure effective management. Lifestyle modifications like medication/dietary changes etc., might help control GERD thus avoiding any consequences resulting from these complications.

Early Warning Signs Include:

• Heartburn: Burning sensation behind breasts after eating often continues for hours
• Acid Regurgitation: Bitter or sour taste in the mouth
• Difficulty Swallowing: Inability to swallow easily; feeling like something is stuck at the back of the throat
• Chronic Cough: Non-stop coughing that may sound rough or husky

Seek medical advice, if you notice any of these signs as it may be a symptom of a more serious illness that may warrant immediate attention. This condition can be successfully controlled by applying appropriate methods, relieving the experience of burning pain and discomfort in your chest or throat.