Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It FeelsSevere SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsTriggersTreatmentWhen It’s Not Improving
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Feels
Severe Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
Triggers
Treatment
When It’s Not Improving
Not everyone who has acid reflux experiences all these symptoms. In addition, symptoms can be slightly different in young children.
This article explains acid reflux symptoms, complications, triggers, and treatment.
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Acid Reflux
How Do Symptoms of Acid Reflux Feel?
When you have acid reflux, you tend to feel symptoms in your chest and throat.What does heartburn feel like? The following are common signs of acid reflux:
The sensations accompanying acid reflux are most commonly felt after eating or lying down.
Acid Reflux in Children and TeensIn older kids and teens, acid reflux may feel similar to how adults experience it. However,young children with acid refluxwho can’t describe their symptoms well may express the following:Arching their backUnusual neck and chin movementsIrritability or cryingLoss of appetite or not eatingWeight loss or less weight gain than expected
Acid Reflux in Children and Teens
In older kids and teens, acid reflux may feel similar to how adults experience it. However,young children with acid refluxwho can’t describe their symptoms well may express the following:Arching their backUnusual neck and chin movementsIrritability or cryingLoss of appetite or not eatingWeight loss or less weight gain than expected
In older kids and teens, acid reflux may feel similar to how adults experience it. However,young children with acid refluxwho can’t describe their symptoms well may express the following:
Severe (or Constant) Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Many people experience random acid reflux or heartburn when they eat something that triggers it, lie down too quickly after a large meal, or after eating right before bed.
However, when you experience constant acid reflux, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition affects 18% to 28% of North Americans.Thesymptoms of GERDare the same as GER, but they are experienced chronically rather than occasionally. You’ll know if you have acid reflux or GERD based on the frequency and severity of your symptoms.
GERD develops when the lower esophageal sphincter weakens. It is more common in people with excess weight or obesity, during pregnancy, those taking certain medications, and in smokers.
But what else could acid reflux be? And could it be mistaken for another condition? Clinical guidelines for diagnosing GERD point out the possibility ofdifferential diagnoses(conditions that share the same symptoms). These overlapping conditions include:
If you experience chronic GER symptoms, seeing a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis is important.
Acid Reflux at Night and on WakingAcid reflux tends to be worse at night while sleeping. Similarly, you may find that youwake up with heartburn. That’s because you don’t have gravity on your side while lying flat. So, stomach acid may be more likely to cause problems while you sleep.Experts recommend waiting two to three hours after eating before lying down tostop acid reflux while sleeping. If you still have symptoms, you can elevate the head of your bed to help manage nighttime discomfort.
Acid Reflux at Night and on Waking
Acid reflux tends to be worse at night while sleeping. Similarly, you may find that youwake up with heartburn. That’s because you don’t have gravity on your side while lying flat. So, stomach acid may be more likely to cause problems while you sleep.Experts recommend waiting two to three hours after eating before lying down tostop acid reflux while sleeping. If you still have symptoms, you can elevate the head of your bed to help manage nighttime discomfort.
Acid reflux tends to be worse at night while sleeping. Similarly, you may find that youwake up with heartburn. That’s because you don’t have gravity on your side while lying flat. So, stomach acid may be more likely to cause problems while you sleep.
Experts recommend waiting two to three hours after eating before lying down tostop acid reflux while sleeping. If you still have symptoms, you can elevate the head of your bed to help manage nighttime discomfort.
Heartburn vs. Acid Reflux vs. GERD: Everything You Need to Know
Rare Symptoms of Acid Reflux
In addition to the common acid reflux symptoms, studies have found that some people experience rare symptoms of GER and GERD. These include:
Researchers say that around 80% of people with typical acid reflux symptoms also exhibit at least one rare sign.
Treating Acid Reflux and Back Pain Together
Complications With Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Untreated, acid reflux and GERD can result in complications. These complications may include:
Fortunately, acting on ways to manage your acid reflux symptoms can lessen the likelihood of developing long-term complications.
What Triggers Symptoms of Acid Reflux?
When it comes to acid reflux triggers, everyone experiences them differently. Spicy foods are commonly associated with acid reflux, but that doesn’t mean everyone with acid reflux can’t eat spicy foods.
Commonacid reflux triggersinclude:
Discovering which foods trigger acid reflux may take time. Some people find that it helps tokeep a food diaryto track when they experience symptoms along with the foods they eat. The key is to watch for a pattern.
Treating Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Managing acid reflux may involve lifestyle changes,GERD medication, or surgery. Treatments may include:
Since there can be long-term consequences associated with unmanaged acid reflux, including cancer, getting GER and GERD under control is crucial.
Symptoms of Acid Reflux Not Improving
If you’ve tried lifestyle changes and over-the-counter (OTC) medications without symptom relief, it is time to see a healthcare provider. Agastroenterologistspecializes in treating digestive disorders, including acid reflux.
They may do tests to rule out other conditions. Sometimes, simple heartburn remedies don’t work because acid reflux does not cause the symptoms. That’s why getting an accurate assessment early on is essential. Only then can you find the most appropriate treatment.
If you have acid reflux, you may require a more powerful medication, which a healthcare provider can prescribe. Surgery is usually a last resort when other treatments fail.
Summary
Acid reflux commonly feels like a burning sensation in the center of the chest. Some people also experience regurgitation, nausea, difficulty swallowing, coughing, and hoarseness. Occasional acid reflux is common, but if you experience it frequently, you may have a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD in children.El-Serag HB, Sweet S, Winchester CC, Dent J.Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review.Gut. 2014;63(6):871-880. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2012-304269Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, Greer KB, Yadlapati R, Spechler SJ.ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;117(1):27-56. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538Cho JH, Shin CM, Yoon H, Park YS, Kim N, Lee DH.Efficacy of a high-dose proton pump inhibitor in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a single center, randomized, open-label trial.BMC Gastroenterol. 2020;20(1):275. doi:10.1186/s12876-020-01410-zMedlinePlus.Gastroesophageal reflux disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for GER and GERD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD in children.El-Serag HB, Sweet S, Winchester CC, Dent J.Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review.Gut. 2014;63(6):871-880. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2012-304269Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, Greer KB, Yadlapati R, Spechler SJ.ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;117(1):27-56. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538Cho JH, Shin CM, Yoon H, Park YS, Kim N, Lee DH.Efficacy of a high-dose proton pump inhibitor in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a single center, randomized, open-label trial.BMC Gastroenterol. 2020;20(1):275. doi:10.1186/s12876-020-01410-zMedlinePlus.Gastroesophageal reflux disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for GER and GERD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD in children.El-Serag HB, Sweet S, Winchester CC, Dent J.Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review.Gut. 2014;63(6):871-880. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2012-304269Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, Greer KB, Yadlapati R, Spechler SJ.ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;117(1):27-56. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538Cho JH, Shin CM, Yoon H, Park YS, Kim N, Lee DH.Efficacy of a high-dose proton pump inhibitor in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a single center, randomized, open-label trial.BMC Gastroenterol. 2020;20(1):275. doi:10.1186/s12876-020-01410-zMedlinePlus.Gastroesophageal reflux disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for GER and GERD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD in children.
El-Serag HB, Sweet S, Winchester CC, Dent J.Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review.Gut. 2014;63(6):871-880. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2012-304269
Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, Greer KB, Yadlapati R, Spechler SJ.ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;117(1):27-56. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538
Cho JH, Shin CM, Yoon H, Park YS, Kim N, Lee DH.Efficacy of a high-dose proton pump inhibitor in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a single center, randomized, open-label trial.BMC Gastroenterol. 2020;20(1):275. doi:10.1186/s12876-020-01410-z
MedlinePlus.Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for GER and GERD.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.
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