Acid Reflux symptoms can sometimes be confused with symptoms of other conditions, perhaps even a heart attack. How do you know if you really have Reflux / GERD and not something else? In this article, I’ll describe the classic symptoms of Acid Reflux.

Heartburn

This is the number one symptom of this condition. The name is a bit of a misnomer, because it has nothing to do with your heart – only the pain is usually felt at the approximate location of the heart.

As the acid gets into your esophagus, you may feel a burning sensation that can be felt everywhere in the center of your chest and up to the throat .

A real heart attack is much more painful and feels as if someone or something is crushing your chest. Heartburn is obviously far less severe than this, but it is still a painful scourge.

Regurgitation

Some people experience acid regurgitation into the mouth where it can be detected as an unpleasant taste. If this happens often then it may even lead to the acid on the teeth causing enamel erosion.

Difficulty in swallowing

Some people find it difficult to move food from the mouth to the stomach. This is not a typical symptom of acid Reflux disease.

Belching or burping

Excess gas is not an uncommon symptom. However, it can also be a sign of a stomach ulcer. This is one reason why an endoscopy may be necessary to relieve the ulcer.

Hoarse Voice

Rarely, the acid can affect the vocal cords and then cause the voice to change with time.

What to do

If you have any of these symptoms , you should inform your doctor and he can help diagnose and tell if you have Acid Reflux or not. If you do, then I recommend you learn as much as you can about your condition and find a treatment that you agree with and are happy with ….
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Reflux esophagitis & Barrett’s esophagus

Esophagitis is the irritation and inflammation of the esophageal mucosa resulting mainly as burning sensations in the base of the thorax.

Leading causes of Esophagitis

* The most common cause of esophagitis is gastroesophageal reflux, this is caused by gastric acid rising to the thoracic esophagus. Gastric reflux is linked either to a hiatal hernia is a lack of sphincter muscle that closes the bottom of the esophagus.
* Causes; esophagitis, often occurs following the ingestion of corrosive products: soda, potash, ammonia, bleach, various household products, solvents.
* Drug; Esophagitis due to lesions on the esophageal mucosa caused by medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, potassium chloride, iron, antibiotics such as tetracycline.
* Viral; Esophagitis are sometimes, especially in AIDS patients.

Symptoms of Esophagitis

Pain and a burning sensation are the major sign of esophagitis.

* It is felt in the stomach area or in the lower part of the chest, sometimes going back to the throat (heartburn).
* It is accentuated by the leaning in a forward position when esophagitis is due to gastro-oesophageal reflux.
* It is often accompanied by discomfort or blockage in swallowing (dysphagia).

Other possible signs are:

* Acid indigestion, worsened by lying or leaning forward position;
* Tightness of the Chest or frequent coughing at night;
* Irritation or pain in the lower throat;
* The feeling or Sensation of the presence of some foreign body in your esophagus.

Treatment of esophagitis

Esophagitis usually heals with treatment. Complications are rare but possible and some are:

* Ulcer of the esophagus, a potential source of gastrointestinal bleeding;
* Peptic stenosis, permanent narrowing deeply bothers food;
* Barrett’s esophagus (Barrett’s) transformation of the esophageal mucosa in gastric mucosa, which promotes long-term potential occurrence of cancer of the esophagus .

Consulting the doctor almost always allows him to properly diagose esophagitis. The diagnosis is confirmed by gastroesophageal endoscopy showing lesions, sometimes find the cause and allows biopsies.

Dietary measures

The dietary measures restrict the amount of reflux:

* Fragmentation of meals, reducing portions,
* Removal of spicy or acidic foods,
* Removal of hot drinks (tea, coffee),both alcoholic or carbonated
* Standing or sitting up for at least an hour after having a meal,
* Sleep sitting position slightly (one or two pillows)
* Removal of irritants or medications directly involved.

Medical treatment

Medical treatment involves, as appropriate:

* Antisecretory a medicament for reducing gastric acid production
* An anti-drug that prevents reflux of gastric fluid rising into the esophagus, forming a sort of plug,
* Gastroesophageal a dressing that coats the lining of a protective film,
* A prokinetic drug that lowers the tonicity of the stomach,

Surgery may be offered in case of failure of medical treatment, with treatment of hiatal hernia or esophageal prosthesis.
Prevention of esophagitis

For Prevention of gastroesophageal Reflux esophagitis you should avoid:

– Any drug that causes gastric or esophageal burns should be immediately stopped.

– Any bottle of caustic or dangerous product should be stored out of reach of young children, either by overhead storage, either by installing safety latches on cupboards below.

It is a disease that occurs in cases of gastro-oesophageal reflux or extended, esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus). Returning to the conditions of its formation, its symptoms, treatments and the best means of prevention.

What is Barrett’s esophagus?

Prolonged acid Reflux eventually cause changes in the cells of the esophagus.

Normal cells that form the base of the esophagus (called squamous) under the effect of gastroesophageal reflux, become cylindrical cells normally found in humans. Once transformed, the cells can no longer return to normal, this is called Barrett’s esophagus.

Who is affected by Barrett’s esophagus?

All persons who have reflux for over 5 years may have Barrett’s esophagus.

If burns night, wake up at night and that we continue this, we must speak to a practitioner.
What are the symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus?

The signs are sometimes non-existent, apart from burns due to Reflux.

Apart from the pain at night, you can experience vomiting blood or blood in the stool. When reflux is particularly important, the pain can be traced back into the throat, which eventually interfere to swallow.
How is the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus?

This is the endoscopy reveals disease

* Who should be consulted? As soon as we regularly presents a night gastric burning, one must consult your doctor. If one further considers necessary, especially because the Reflux lasts for more than 5 years or before clinical signs are observed, it refers to the gastroenterologist.
* What is the gold standard? This is the endoscopy can see the damage. The introduction of the tube allows you to see the local state of the lower esophagus and also do a biopsy of the suspicious area. On analysis, the sample displays cell transformation.

Can we prevent Barrett’s esophagus?

Just treat gastroesophageal reflux before it gets complicated.

When reflux symptoms exist, consult and take the treatment prescribed by your doctor, which will prevent the formation of Barrett’s esophagus.

What are the main treatments for Barrett’s esophagus?

Check the acidity of the stomach is essential to combat reflux, but if Barrett’s esophagus is already present, the treatment may require surgery.

* Several types of drugs used to reduce stomach acid such as H2 blockers or inhibitors of the proton pump. Prokinetic drugs are also used to strengthen the muscle tone that closes the esophagus at its base and thus prevent reflux.
* When the cell change is significant stenosis (narrowing) can occur. We must practice expansions to restore the passage. If this is still not enough, surgery may be necessary to remove the affected areas altogether.
* If no treatment is established, Barrett’s esophagus may, in 5-10% of cases, lead to cancer of the esophagus.

Do Natural remedies have their place in the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus?

Along with conventional drugs, acupuncture and herbal medicine have their place.

In traditional use: acupuncture, stimulating a point on the wrist, reduces sagging of the lower esophageal sphincter. In herbal medicine, the herbal preparations are effective as angelica, Roman chamomile, lemon balm or licorice root (from “Practical Encyclopedia of the new Western and Alternative Medicine for All Ages” by Duke Center, ed. Robert Laffont). As a guide, you can take Elusanes, capsule morning and evening. In tinctures, on medical advice, take 50 drops morning and evening.