What are the symptoms of acid reflux disease?
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, can interfere with your lifestyle, disrupt your sleep and make dinner plans a pain. Heartburn, the painful, burning sensation in your chest is the most common symptom of the disease. In fact, pain from heartburn can be so severe that it is often mistaken for a heart attack.
Other symptoms of acid reflux disease can include the following:
• Difficulty swallowing
• Persistent belching
• Regurgitation
• Damage to tooth enamel due to acid regurgitation
• Sore throat
• Wheezing
• Chronic coughing
• Hoarseness
There are some lifestyle changes patients suffering from this disease can do to lessen the painful affects of the disease and suppress flare-ups. For instance, certain foods can irritate the condition, so people with GERD should avoid caffeine, peppermint, spicy foods, acidic foods like oranges and tomato-based sauces, fried foods and alcohol. Smoking and carrying excess weight can also contribute to discomfort as can eating large portions at one sitting or lying down too quickly after a meal.
To learn more about acid reflux disease or to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist, call HealthFinder at 504-456-5000.
