Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 16, 2024
00:00
00:00

The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis are quite typical and include a range of symptoms. The most typical symptom is heartburn, primarily referring to a burning discomfort or pain felt behind the sternum or beneath the xiphoid process, usually occurring about an hour after eating, often accompanied by nausea. Another common symptom is acid regurgitation, which tends to occur more frequently on an empty stomach. Additional symptoms include chest pain, mainly due to the irritation of the esophageal mucosa by refluxed digestive juices, causing esophageal spasm and resultant pain. Difficulty swallowing is also a common symptom, initially mainly due to stress-induced spasms leading to swallowing difficulties. In later stages, it is often due to the proliferation of fibrous tissue forming scars that cause esophageal narrowing, resulting in swallowing difficulties. Other common symptoms include bloating, pharyngitis, cough, asthma, and more.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 20sec home-news-image

Can people with reflux esophagitis eat sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes can increase the secretion of stomach acid, and it is not recommended for those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to consume sweet potatoes. GERD is a type of gastroesophageal reflux disease that refers to the damage to the esophageal mucosa caused by the reflux of acid or alkali. During an endoscopy, defects in the esophageal mucosa, or ulcers, can be observed. GERD is graded based on the size of these ulcers and the extent of erosion, with four levels of severity. The larger the damage, the higher the grade, indicating a more severe case of GERD. Therefore, those with GERD must be cautious about their diet. It is essential to quit smoking and drinking alcohol, avoid strong tea and coffee, and try not to consume foods that are rich, greasy, fried, spicy, or grilled. Foods like milk, soy milk, glutinous rice, and sweet potatoes, which can increase the secretion of stomach acid, are also not recommended. Thus, it is advised that people with GERD avoid consuming sweet potatoes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Is reflux esophagitis serious?

Reflux esophagitis can be observed during an endoscopy as changes in the esophageal mucosa, including hyperemia, edema, erosion, and ulcers. The severity is graded based on the size of the erosion and ulcers, with smaller areas indicating milder conditions and larger areas indicating more severe conditions. An endoscopy can definitively diagnose reflux esophagitis, whose main symptoms include upper abdominal pain, chest pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. The treatment primarily involves acid suppression, protection of the stomach lining, and promoting gastric motility, with a treatment duration of about six to eight weeks. Dietary considerations include avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, not consuming strong tea or coffee, and avoiding spicy, stimulating, fried, and barbecued foods that are difficult to digest.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
49sec home-news-image

How to deal with reflux esophagitis causing palpitations and a feeling of panic?

Patients with reflux esophagitis, if experiencing palpitations or a feeling of heart flutter, are advised to complete an electrocardiogram to rule out the possibility of heart disease. If heart disease causing these symptoms has been ruled out, then one may visit the hospital and consider taking oral proton pump inhibitors to suppress stomach acid secretion, reducing the erosive impact of acid reflux on the esophagus. Additionally, one can take protective agents for the stomach and esophageal mucosa, such as magnesium trisilicate, etc. The specific choice of medication and dosage should be used under the guidance of a doctor. Patients with reflux esophagitis should avoid alcohol, strong tea, coffee, etc.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
1min 1sec home-news-image

Can reflux esophagitis be cured?

Reflux esophagitis can be cured, however, the recurrence rate of reflux esophagitis is more than 80%, and generally requires maintenance treatment. The treatment principles are acid suppression, enhancing the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, and protection of the mucosa. Next, let's specifically introduce non-drug treatments. Dietary therapy is very important, mainly involving reasonable dietary intake and good eating habits, which play a significant role in prevention. Another is positional therapy, mainly avoiding lying down immediately after meals, as well as quitting smoking and alcohol, reducing negative pressure, and taking some related medications or undergoing surgical procedures, etc. Generally, a combination of treatments is used to improve efficacy, and the treatment course should not be less than three months.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
42sec home-news-image

What should I do if reflux esophagitis causes vomiting and choking?

Patients with reflux esophagitis who experience vomiting and choking is relatively rare. Once vomiting and choking occur, it is necessary for the patient to urgently lie on their side, quickly expel the contents of the stomach and mouth, and they may drink some water to keep the respiratory and digestive tracts clear. If the patient still experiences choking after these measures, it is recommended to urgently visit a hospital for treatment. The specific treatment plan will be determined by a doctor based on the situation. The main symptoms of reflux esophagitis include reflux and a burning sensation in the stomach, which are the most common and typical symptoms for patients.