Acid Reflux Symptoms - Do I have Acid Reflux?

Learning the symptoms of acid reflux can help in identifying a cause and developing a treatment plan.

  Adid reflux symptoms can include:  

• Heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Dyspepsia
• Burping
• Bloated feeling

There are times you may encounter some acid reflux symptoms but do not experience any backup of acid into your throat or mouth.  However, you have constant belching and occasionally some pain in the chest area. It normally passes after a while and then you forget it.  It seems many people in your family have experienced all of the same symptoms and you tend to shrug it off as a family trait thing. It is important that you do not try to self-diagnose yourself. Unfortunately, many people tend to do just this and at some point experience severe pain or the back up acid has finally bored a hole into your esophagus which can lead to more significant problems and require further treatment.

If your acid reflux symptoms occur more than once or twice a week as well as wake you at night, you should check with your doctor. If you are taking the over-the-counter medications such as Tums or Rolaids and your symptoms continue, it would be wise to visit your physician and seek his advice. There are many over-the-counter products available to help to prevent the problem before they begin. He may recommend a prescription medication for you to take on a daily basis, such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec or Protonix to name a few.  Unfortunately, as the symptoms abate, many patients tend to forget to take the medication and the symptoms usually can and will recur. .

Some of the discomfort that can occur and can be identified as acid reflux symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, dyspepsia which is stomach discomfort, burping and a feeling of being bloated. Taking your medicine on a daily and regular basis will help you avoid these extremely uncomfortable feelings.  Of course a simple change in your diet will also help in quieting those embarrassing moments of burping in public. Try cutting down on your coffee or chocolate intake. Everything in moderation should be the motto of people with acid reflux symptoms. You can enjoy your favorite foods but be sure to take your medication on a regular basis and cut back on those foods that tend to activate your problem.