Typical and Atypical GERD Symptoms:

GERD can look and feel different for each patient. Although chronic reflux can entail a wide range of symptoms, they can be broadly grouped as typical or atypical depending on their severity.

Mild sufferers may experience heartburn and regurgitation on occasion, perhaps after indulging in a heavy meal or greasy or acidic foods. Changes to diet are sometimes sufficient to alleviate these symptoms and control mild acid reflux. Severe chronic GERD sufferers can experience symptoms as often as several times a week or even daily.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always experience heartburn when you have GERD. Although this is the most common symptom, it is not a guaranteed warning sign of GERD — nor is the absence of heartburn enough to rule out GERD. People managing GERD will often blame acid reflux for some or all of their symptoms. However, there are other stomach fluids besides acid that can reflux and cause discomfort and damage. In fact, non-acid reflux carries enormous risk to the esophagus, even if they aren’t as obvious a sign of GERD.

Typical or other common GERD symptoms can include the following:

Heartburn
Difficulty swallowing
Excessive salivation
Regurgitation
Gas and bloating
Pain or discomfort in the chest
Intolerance of certain foods and liquids
Bad breath or a sour taste in the mouth

Atypical or other less common GERD symptoms can include the following:

Hoarseness or laryngitis
Frequent swallowing
Asthma or asthma-like symptoms
Excessive clearing of the throat
Chronic dry, irritated, or sore throat
Persistent cough
Burning in the mouth or throat (acid taste in the mouth)
Dental erosions or therapy-resistant gum disease or inflammation
Discomfort in the ears and nose
Trouble sleeping

Having heartburn or reflux from time to time is normal. Reflux that becomes chronic and impacts your lifestyle is not normal.

In many cases, reflux can arise from a weakening in the anatomic barrier where the connection between the esophagus and stomach occur

 
If you suffer reflux symptoms more than twice a week, you may have GERD. If you suspect a problem, click here to download and complete a GERD-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) survey. Remeber to bring the results to your doctor for a GERD evaluation and to discuss your concerns.