My followers on Facebook requested a more complete list of potential GERD/LPR signs & symptoms. There are a lot. and you don't normally find them all in one place. So I made the following list (at the bottom of this page) attempting to find all of the symptoms that may be signs that you have acid reflux.
But before you read on, I want to remind you of two things. Firstly, reflux disease may itself be a symptom of something else. Giving something a name, like gastroesophageal reflux disease, does not make it the core cause of your symptoms. For example, it could be that your heartburn is caused by gastroresophageal reflux that is a symptom of chronic overeating and poor posture. In this case chronic overeating and poor eating is the core cause of your symptom of heartburn, not some disease called GERD. If you think "disease" means there is nothing you can do about it, or that you're not doing anything to cause it, think again.
Secondly, remember that the gold standard for diagnosing GERD is Esophageal pH monitoring. The reason I bring this up is because your symptoms may be the result of something else besides acid reflux. For example, Eosinophilic Esophagitis is often mistaken for GERD as it can have similar, if not identical, symptoms to acid relfux. You don't want to be treating the wrong thing. See this page for more info on Eosinophilic Esophagitis:https://www.empr.com/features/eosinophilic-esophagitis-can-be-mistaken-for-gerd/article/261625/
Other diseases that may be mistaken for GERD: a.) Gastroparesis b.) Gastritis c.) Stomach Ulcers d.) Heart disease e.) Gallstones f.) Pleuritis g.) Celiac's Disease h.) Achalasia For more info: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20528575,00.html#esophageal-cancer-1
The current best test for the diagnosis of reflux disease is esophageal pH monitoring where "a thin tube is passed through your nose or mouth to your stomach. The tube is then pulled back into your esophagus. A monitor attached to the tube measures the acid level in your esophagus. You will wear the monitor on a strap and record your symptoms and activity over the next 24 hours in a diary. You will return to the hospital the next day and the tube will be removed. The information from the monitor will be compared with your diary notes."For more information see: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003401.htm
Its common practice for doctors to hand out acid suppressant medication called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) before any diagnostic testing. A primary care physicians diagnosis of GERD commonly depends on how the patient responds to PPIs. But PPI testing in this way may be inaccurate and may have side effects (e.g. acid rebound, bacterial overgrowth, food allergies, etc) See: https://www.refluxmd.com/gerd-often-misdiagnosed-2/
Warning: If you think you could be having a heart attack, seek emergency medical care immediately. GERD and Heart Attacks share some symptoms so play it safe and see a medical professional if there is any doubt.
So finally, here is the list. Signs and Symptoms of Reflux Disease include:
Heartburn
Regurgitation
Chest Pain
Dysphagia
Difficulty Swallowing
Globus Sensation
Chronic Cough
Disrupted Sleep
Bloating
Burping
Indigestion
Hiccups
Chronic Sore Throat
Bad Breath
Tooth Decay
Dry Mouth
Bitter Taste
Irritated Voice Box
Hoarseness
Laryngitis
Throat Clearing
Excess Saliva
Post-Nasal Drip
Back Pain
Nausea
Tonsil Problems
Sinusitis
Shortness of Breath
Wheezing
Asthma
Chest Tightness
Cardiac Dysrhythmia
Anxiety
Sources: https://www.livestrong.com/article/16326-can-acid-reflux-disease-cause/# https://www.jwatch.org/jg200609290000004/2006/09/29/gerd-symptoms-linked-cardiac-dysrhythmias https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/shortness-of-breath#gerd-and-asthma https://www.refluxmd.com/diagnosis-lpr-inflamed-tonsils/ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15024-laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lpr https://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/oral-conditions/specialist/jacobs/can-gerd-cause-tooth-decay.aspx https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/what-is-acid-reflux-disease#2-3 https://www.prevention.com/health/g20496948/6-weird-signs-you-have-acid-reflux/ https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/gastro-oesophageal-reflux-disease-gord#symptoms https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940
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