When stomach contents rise back up into your esophagus, acid reflux occurs. Acid regurgitation and gastroesophageal reflux are additional names for this behavior. You may have gastroesophageal reflux disease if you experience acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week (GERD).
About 20% of Americans suffer from GERD, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It occasionally results in serious problems if left untreated. Your chest may feel like it’s burning, and the discomfort may spread to your neck and throat. Heartburn is a common name for this sensation.
The back of your mouth may start to taste sour or bitter if you have acid reflux. Additionally, it could result in food or drink coming back up into your mouth from your stomach. Other GERD signs and symptoms include:
- Nausea
- A Chest Ache
- Difficulty Swallowing
- A Raspy Voice or Persistent Cough
- Bad Breath
If you or a loved one frequently experiences acid reflux, you need to make sure to get yourself checked by our medical practitioners to see if it is a symptom of GERD.
Preventive services can help mitigate and prevent GERD altogether. Your doctor may advise you to adjust some aspects of your lifestyle to control and relieve GERD symptoms, such as maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, avoiding large meals at night and laying down after eating, as well as sleeping with your head raised (by raising the head of your bed six to eight inches).
Our urgent care in Toledo, Ohio, will be more than glad to give you an assessment on whether or not you have GERD.
To learn more about our urgent medical care in Ohio, please be sure to contact Acute Urgent Care Inc. anytime!