Reflux Symptoms
Dr. med. Julia Schwarz is a freelance writer in the medical department.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.Typical symptoms of reflux are heartburn, which gets worse when lying down or stooping, and belching of air or gastric juice from the stomach into the esophagus and mouth. Those affected often also suffer from tenderness behind the breastbone, which is easily mistaken for pain in the heart region. There are also a number of other symptoms of reflux disease. Recognizing reflux is important as constant contact with acidic gastric juice can damage the esophagus. Read everything you need to know about reflux symptoms here.
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. K21
Gastric acid reflux symptoms
In reflux disease, acidic gastric juice gets from the stomach into the esophagus due to a muscle weakness of the sphincter muscle or an increased pressure within the abdominal cavity. The lining of the esophagus, unlike the lining of the stomach, is not designed for contact with acid. When it comes into contact with the acid, a burning pain arises, among other things - the well-known heartburn.
Reflux symptoms are very common in the Western population. About 20 percent of the population suffer from reflux symptoms. Women are more often plagued by the symptoms than men. The incidence of reflux disease increases with age. However, babies and toddlers can rarely already suffer from reflux symptoms.
Reflux Symptoms - Heartburn
The typical symptoms of reflux disease are heartburn and a feeling of pressure behind the breastbone. For most people, the symptoms worsen when lying down or when bending over. These changes in position of the body support the unwanted backflow of gastric acid into the esophagus through gravity. The burning pain behind the breastbone is extremely uncomfortable and often worsens after large meals. Heartburn is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in western industrialized countries. Heartburn and belching are often triggered or made worse by alcohol, coffee, nicotine, and stress. Patients also complain of a salty or soapy taste in the mouth after eating.
Reflux symptoms - chest pressure
The reflux symptoms heartburn and tenderness behind the breastbone are often first ascribed to the heart by patients. The reflux symptoms are usually difficult to differentiate from acute heart disease (heart attack) without further investigation. Patients with a feeling of pressure in the chest should therefore always consult a doctor. Further information on the cause of the feeling of pressure in the chest can only be obtained with further examinations (EKG, blood test, etc.). While reflux is not acutely life-threatening, no time should be lost in a heart attack.
Reflux Symptoms - Difficulty Swallowing
The mucous membrane of the esophagus becomes inflamed much more easily due to the increased acid contact in reflux disease. The irritated mucous membrane is a good breeding ground for bacteria and food residues also adhere to it more easily. The irritation of the mucous membranes often leads to patients suffering from difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). The contact of the food with the mucous membrane also hurts the inflamed tissue and leads to pain. The patients often report the feeling of "having a lump in the throat". Other sufferers feel a persistent feeling of dryness that cannot be relieved even with a lot of drinking.
Reflux Symptoms - Bad breath and belching
The permanent irritation of the esophageal mucous membrane has the consequence that bacteria and food residues attach more easily to the inflamed mucous membrane. The inflamed tissue is a good breeding ground for bacteria. The germs produce substances that are excreted with the breath and perceived as bad breath (halitosis).
When the food hits the stomach acid and digestive enzymes in the stomach, gases are generated. This is quite normal, but it is particularly pronounced when there is increased stomach acid. In patients who suffer from a weak lower esophageal sphincter, it is easier for the gases to escape “up” towards the esophagus than to escape the long way up the intestine. As a result, patients with reflux symptoms often experience anger.
Reflux symptoms - damage to tooth enamel
Classic reflux symptoms are also an acid load on the teeth and the associated damage to the tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is usually the hardest and most robust substance in the body and protects the teeth from external influences. If the acidic gastric juice even gets into the mouth when belching, it attacks the tooth enamel. Usually this is first noticeable on the necks of the teeth. Tooth enamel cannot be repaired by the body, so damage is irreversible.
Reflux Symptoms - Cough and Airway Damage
In some patients, stomach acid can rise enough to get into the airways. This causes reflux symptoms, which are associated with damage to the airways and the resulting urge to cough. Those affected complain of a chronic dry cough, especially at night. The rising acidity of the stomach can also damage the larynx and cause laryngitis (laryngitis) with hoarseness. If the stomach acid is "inhaled", the damaged tissue is a good breeding ground for bacteria, which makes it easier for pneumonia to develop (aspiration pneumonia). Aspiration pneumonia is a very serious complication that can be life-threatening.
Reflux Symptoms in Babies and Young Children
Reflux symptoms can occur as early as infancy. However, the symptoms of reflux disease express themselves differently than in an adult: The children have problems with feeding while breastfeeding or drinking. They behave restlessly and scream more often. Some babies stretch their heads and torsos backwards to make it easier for them to eat. Other children break down more often after eating. Since children of this age are not yet able to express their complaints, an observing eye on the part of the parents is required. Since persistent disturbances in food intake can lead to growth and development disorders, the reflux symptoms in children should be treated in good time.
Recognize reflux symptoms
The symptoms of reflux disease are extremely uncomfortable for those affected and affect their quality of life. For example, people with reflux-related bad breath suffer particularly because they are ashamed of it and it is difficult to influence bad breath even with thorough oral hygiene. Just avoiding certain foods that stimulate gastric acid production can improve reflux symptoms. You should also get enough exercise to stimulate digestion. As a result, the stomach contents flow more quickly into the small intestine. This reduces the risk of backflow of the stomach contents. People should monitor their diet and lifestyle habits, and be careful with themselves, which can improve or worsen reflux symptoms.
Recognizing reflux symptoms is usually not difficult. However, reflux is still not always treated even today, although it would be easy to do. Those affected often trivialize the symptoms and fail to recognize that reflux disease can cause serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia or, in the worst case, even esophageal cancer. If patients take reflux disease seriously, adjust their lifestyle accordingly, and start treatment with reflux medication, such complications can usually be avoided. The distinction between reflux symptoms and other causes such as heart disease, however, can only be done by a doctor.
Tags: tcm skin news
