Q. Symptoms of gastro oesophageal reflux disease?
Most commonly, people with GERD complain of heartburn, a painful or uncomfortable feeling in the chest, which may radiate to the back. Often the patient will recognize a pattern of symptoms related to timing, food or body position. Heartburn may be mistaken for angina pectoris, which is pain in the chest related to heart disease; a careful history and physical examination should distinguish between the two (although it is certainly possible for a patient to have both). Symptoms are most often present after meals, especially after eating certain foods, and at night, while lying in bed, and may be relieved temporarily by antacids or milk.
In addition to heartburn, difficult or painful swallowing, a sour taste in the mouth, and Frequent belching are common. Less typical features include chronic cough hoarseness, sore throat and a sensation of fullness. Important extra-oesophageal symptoms include laryngitis, pharyngitis, chronic sinusitis, dental erosions, asthma, and chronic cough. These symptoms can occur as a result of gastric acid reflux into the throat and vocal cords or down into the lungs. Acid reflux due to GERD can also erode teeth.