Signs of GERD

If you think you may have GERD, it's important to know that the most common sign is heartburn. The pain or discomfort it causes usually starts in the middle of the chest, and can move up through the throat. However, heartburn doesn't necessarily mean a person has GERD in every case. Other signs and symptoms of GERD include chest pain, sore throat, and painful swallowing.

Information About GERD

An Introduction to the Signs and Symptoms of GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD for short, is a condition where stomach acid refluxes back into the esophagus and damages it. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD, but there are a number of other signs a person can experience.

Common Signs of GERD

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn. The pain or discomfort this causes usually starts in the middle of the chest, and can move up through the throat. With GERD, heartburn can be frequent, constant, and/or severe.

Other common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

Sensation of food stuck in the throat
Feeling like you are choking or like your throat is tight
Acidic or sour taste in the mouth (acid indigestion)
Difficult or painful swallowing
Chest pain.

It is also possible for a person with the condition to have one or several of these GERD signs but not have heartburn.

Other Signs

Other, less-common signs of GERD may include:

Sore throat
Hoarseness, especially in the morning
Coughing
Breathing problems similar to asthma
Bad breath.

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