Nearly everyone has experienced heartburn – that burning sensation in their chest caused by stomach acid traveling backwards into the esophagus and back into their system.
Normal swallowing patterns require that a circular muscle at the bottom of your esophagus relax when you swallow, tightening to prevent food and liquids from traveling back up your throat, but if this muscle doesn’t function properly it could lead to damage.
Heartburn
Acid reflux produces a burning sensation in your chest that may travel all the way up into your throat, caused by issues with a muscle at the bottom of your esophagus that is supposed to open to let food into your stomach and closes to keep stomach acid out – the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When this muscle relaxes too often or for too long, stomach acid can back up into your esophagus and eventually wear away its lining (esophagitis), sores in throat or even Barrett’s Esophagus that increases risk of cancer esophageal cancer risk.
Heartburn is one of the hallmarks of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Other symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, hoarseness and sore throat – all symptoms which indicate you may have GERD. If any of these occur more than twice weekly for you, see your physician immediately.
Burning sensation
Individuals often experience occasional or chronic indigestion or heartburn; if it persists despite lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications, contact your physician as it could be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
GERD occurs when stomach contents flow back up from your stomach into your esophagus – which connects from mouth to stomach – unintentionally or not. At the bottom of your esophagus is a circular muscle which should open and close tightly upon swallowing food; when this muscle relaxes improperly or weakens altogether, acid from your stomach rises back up into your esophagus causing heartburn symptoms.
Frequent heartburn over an extended period can damage the tissue lining your esophagus, potentially leading to sores (peptic ulcers) and Barrett’s esophagus – increasing your risk of esophageal cancer. GERD symptoms vary and include chest burning that extends to throat or jaw and sometimes soreness or irritation in throat or jaw area.
Difficulty swallowing
Swallowing is how our bodies take in food and beverages for nourishment. When swallowing, muscles in the oesophagus tighten and relax to move food down into our stomach. When this muscle opening doesn’t close properly it can leave a trail of acid burn in your throat that makes swallowing difficult – this condition is known as dysphagia and it is one of many complications of acid reflux or GERD.
Many times, people with acid reflux without heartburn experience discomfort in their esophagus that doesn’t feel burning; this makes swallowing food and liquids difficult, particularly if regurgitation of acid occurs back up into their throat and creates regurgitation, leading to dry cough, bad breath and hoarse throat as well as malnutrition, dehydration and the risk of choking. Being aware that you are having difficulty swallowing can help your doctor identify its source.
Shortness of breath
All people experience acid reflux at some point. This occurs when acid from your stomach leaks back up through your throat into your esophagus (the tube that connects it to your stomach), irritating its lining and leading to heartburn symptoms. If this symptom occurs frequently, gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD, could be the source.
GERD develops when the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, relaxes too often or for too long after eating, such as when lying down immediately afterwards. When this happens, acid and other things slip back up into your throat and mouth instead of moving directly to your stomach; symptoms include difficulty breathing and dry coughs that should prompt immediate medical assistance.
