GERD Symptoms
The severity of reflux symptoms varies considerably from person to person. Mild sufferers most commonly experience heartburn and regurgitation on occasion. More severe sufferers will experience symptoms as often as several times a week or even daily. Typical symptoms include:
- Heartburn
- Waterbrash (excessive salivation)
- Regurgitation
- Gas and bloating
- Pain or discomfort in the chest
- Trouble sleeping
- Intolerance of certain foods and liquids
Most GERD sufferers attribute their symptoms to acid reflux, but reflux of non-acid stomach fluids can also cause similar symptoms which can be just as harmful to the esophagus. You can have GERD without experiencing heartburn.
Other symptoms can include:
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Bad breath or a sour taste in the mouth
- Hoarseness or laryngitis
- Frequent swallowing
- Asthma or asthma-like symptoms
- Excessive clearing of the throat
- Chronic irritated or sore throat
- Persistent cough
- Burning in the mouth or throat (acid taste in the mouth)
- Dental erosions or therapy-resistant gum disease or inflammation
- Discomfort in the ears and nose