GERD Signs and Symptoms

GERD signs and symptoms are numerous, but many are asking “is GERD different from heart burn”? You need to remember that heart burn is just one of the many GERD signs and symptoms and just like in GERD this will happen the moment the stomach acid refluxes or returns back to the body’s esophagus. The moment the stomach acid gets backed up, this will then create that burning sensation in the chest or the throat of the person and this is known commonly as heartburn. While it isn’t the only sign for GERD, heartburn might also be an indication or other health issues like diabetes, the intake of medications and wrong lifestyle choices.

Many people will experience heartburn as this is common, but this does not automatically mean that the person has GERD. Heartburn can only be considered as an indication of GERD if the sensation happens frequently, say more than twice a week. Aside from heartburn, there are also a number of GERD signs and symptoms that everyone should be aware of.

If a person can feel that sensation that a food is stuck in the throat, then there is a chance that it is GERD. Other symptoms and signs that should be noted include that feeling of choking or the feeling that the throat is tight, that acidic or the sour taste that can be observed, difficulty in swallowing and chest pains. It should be noted that it can be possible for one patient with GERD to have one or two of these symptoms and not experience heartburn. This can happen because heart burn is not the sole determinant of acid reflux.

GERD signs and symptoms should be guarded, and heartburn should be considered as a red flag that can give signs if GERD may be developing.