GERD is not a pretty name in my opinion, and it also can be a pain-in-the-chest—literally. That’s two negatives facing this precocious pest that often occurs to us when our stomach acid or stomach content shoots its way back into our food pipe (AKA the esophagus). The backwash (reflux) can and usually does agitate the lining of our esophagus and cause GERD. Luckily, we now have some pretty nifty doctors to help us diagnose this chronic digestive disease.
GERD Symptoms
The problem with GERD is that it’s a chronic digestive disease and some symptoms of this backwashed weasel are acid reflux and heartburn. When these symptoms occur, along with the backwash irritating the lining of your esophagus, you may be diagnosed with GERD. Some people try dealing with this disease through the active application of lifestyle changes, or over-the-counter medications, but some unlucky patients must have surgery to reduce these sometimes harsh symptoms.
GERD, Heartburn, and Acid Reflux
A lot of times, heartburn is related to GERD and is often seen after mealtimes. GERD is a tricky little vermin, but there are many causes of GERD to keep an eye out for. You should know that not everyone with GERD has heartburn. If you have a frequent sore throat; this might be because your acid reflux is moving past the lower esophageal sphincter (yes, that is a real word) and entering your throat, which can cause reoccurring hoarseness. If you have similar symptoms like these and they are occurring at least twice each week, and your doctor can view damage to your esophagus, then you may be diagnosed with GERD.
Gerd’s other Problematic Symptoms
GERD has other symptoms too like a chronic dry cough. Then there’s also the refluxed acid, which can worsen your acid condition too. This little pest can also cause bad breath, earaches, a sudden increase in saliva, and chest pain. Remember, GERD likes bellies, so if you have one of those, or any of these symptoms, you may be diagnosed with the disease. But it’s best to check with your doctor first because untreated GERD can cause serious health problems.
By Preston Copeland