10 Symptoms of Acid Reflux (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known as GERD, is a chronic illness defined by acid frequently flowing into the esophagus. While most adults experience heartburn from time to time, GERD is characterized by bouts of heartburn (or acid reflux) that occur twice per week or more on a consistent basis. If you think you may be suffering from this condition, just know that you’re not alone as 10 million Americans suffer from acid reflux every day. Read on to see if you’re experiencing the most common symptoms of GERD and if so, be sure to contact your doctor!

Sour Taste – Those suffering from chronic heartburn will often notice an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth, especially after lying down or consuming a heavy meal, or simply consuming foods that can easily trigger heartburn. Heartburn over a long period of time can sometimes lead to the enamel on the teeth wearing away, so it’s important to talk to your doctor and your dentist to make sure that both your bodily and dental health remain in good standing!

Difficulty Swallowing – Some researchers believe that stomach acid chronically making its way into the esophagus could negatively affect the relaxation of the muscles around the throat, making it more difficult to swallow. Additionally, a person with GERD may experience what is known as the “globus sensation,” which is the feeling of a lump in the throat even when there is no physical lump present when examined. Researchers aren’t exactly sure what causes the globus sensation, but some believe that it’s due to muscles in the throat not coordinating properly, giving the sensation of there being a lump when swallowing saliva.

Asthma – The relationship between asthma and heartburn is a peculiar one. If you have chronic heartburn, your chance of triggering asthma symptoms increases. Conversely, if you have asthma, your chance of having heartburn increases. This is because when acid makes contact with the nerves in your esophagus, the nerves tell your brain to tell your airways to protect themselves from the acid. This causes your airways to narrow in order to keep the acid out, in turn triggering asthma symptoms.

Excess Saliva Production – Another peculiar symptom of GERD that you probably didn’t know about is that of excess saliva production that accompanies heartburn. This happens when stomach acid stimulates a reflex pathway between the esophagus and the salivary glands. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as “water brash,” and it generally resolves itself once the GERD is treated with either medication or lifestyle changes. If your water brash lasts for more than two weeks at a time, be sure to contact your doctor!

Chest Pain – There are a lot of potential causes of chest pain, and some of them are more serious than others. When it comes to GERD specifically, the pain is a burning sensation that generally starts behind the breastbone and moves up toward your throat. Make sure you contact your doctor immediately if you’re experiencing chest pain, especially if the pain is accompanied by shortness of breath or pain in the arm or jaw, as these could also be signs of a heart attack.

Burning Sensation – The burning sensation of GERD often lasts as long as two hours and is commonly worsened after eating or lying down. It may even feel like your neck or chest is on fire. Most acid reflux sufferers begin to feel better after they take an antacid, but if the pain becomes unbearable or lasts longer than two hours, always check with your doctor to make sure it’s not something more serious. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Cough – When acid gets past the upper esophageal sphincter, it can enter the throat and voice box, causing a sore throat and chronic cough. The cough is most often dry and occurs at night, and may seem as though there is no explanation for it. Luckily there are many things you can do to alleviate a cough or a sore throat. Try drinking a warm beverage, sucking on a cough drop, and increasing your water intake.

Regurgitation – People suffering from GERD may occasionally feel as though acid or the food they consumed is coming back up into the esophagus and throat, especially when lying down, and after a heavy meal or one that contains triggering foods (but more on that in another article). Additionally, some may occasionally feel nauseous after eating. You may feel a burning sensation and a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. One may also experience “wet burps.” 

Disrupted Sleep – As you already know, symptoms of any disease or ailment can cause a person to lose sleep due to the pain or discomfort associated with it, and GERD is no different in that regard. Sufferers will often wake up in the middle of the night in an unexplained coughing fit, uncomfortable chest pain, or a sour taste in the mouth. We’ll take a look at things you can do to help alleviate these symptoms in another article!

Indigestion – Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, is another common symptom of GERD that is defined by consistent discomfort in the upper abdomen. One may also feel bloated or like they are always full, and the symptoms may increase in times of stress. Indigestion isn’t always a symptom of GERD; it can also have underlying causes such as excessive alcohol use, obesity, smoking, or excessive use of aspirin. But if you’re experiencing indigestion along with other chronic acid reflux symptoms, GERD is very likely to be the culprit.