UltraSound Technician School

Acid Reflux, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is one that is diagnosed to many people around the country because of its many common symptoms. However, a deeper understanding of these symptoms will help you narrow down the possible diagnoses. This disease causes the liquid content of the stomach to regurgitate back up into the esophagus, resulting in a damage of the lining. The visible damage only occurs in a minority of patients, which makes it so difficult to completely diagnose. The acid which is in this regurgitated liquid is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed liquid. Because this is a life-long chronic condition, it is important to diagnose this disorder as soon as you can so that you can begin treatment, including the healing of the esophagus. Treatment needs to be continuous in order to combat further complications with the esophagus. While the reflux of the stomach’s liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most normal individuals, patients with GERD have acid within this regurgitation more often which contributes toward destroying the esophagus lining.

Cough or wheezing
Many of the nerves in the lower esophagus are stimulated by the refluxed acid which results in pain. This therefore leads to stimulating other nerves that provoke coughing; in this way, refluxed liquid can cause coughing without ever reaching the throat.

Difficulty Swallowing
In more severe cases, patients may choke on food, or it may become stuck in the esophagus, causing severe chest pain. This may indicate a temporary spasm that narrows the tube.

Heartburn
The nerve fibers that are stimulated by acid reflux results in heartburn which is the most characteristic symptom of GERD. Episodes of heartburn can happen quite regularly, though in some patients this pain may be sharp or pressure-like instead of the typical burning associated with the symptom.

Sore throat and Hoarseness
If refluxed liquid gets past the upper esophageal sphincter, it can enter the throat which leads to a sore throat and hoarseness.

Inflammation of the lungs
The reflux of liquid into the lungs (after passing the larynx) can result in coughing and choking with can lead to aspiration. This may in turn lead to infection of the lungs, resulting in pneumonia.

Nausea and vomiting
While these symptoms are uncommon in GERD, some patients may have frequent or severe nausea which can result in vomiting. Most patients with unexplained nausea and vomiting are typically tested to determine if they have GERD.

Regurgitation
One of the most common symptoms, regurgitation involves the appearance of refluxed liquid in the mouth; only small amounts of liquid reach the esophagus, though some patients have larger quantities which reach up to the upper esophagus. Frequent or prolonged regurgitation can lead to acid-induced erosions of the teeth and larger quantities can result in liquid or food within the mouth.

Vomiting blood
Vomiting blood is one of the most severe symptoms of this disorder and should be treated with immediate medical attention.

Hiccoughs
Hiccoughs relate back to the same symptom of coughing, in that certain nerves are stimulated which can result in prolonged hiccoughs.

Belching
Chronic instances of belching after meals can indicate a sign of GERD, especially when not noticed previously.

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