Recognize Better GERD Symptoms in Adults to Infants
GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a medical condition in which acidic fluids that should be at the bottom of the stomach actually flow up into the throat. Therefore, people with GERD often complain of a series of symptoms that can interfere with daily activities. What are the characteristics of GERD? Let’s discuss one by one the various features of GERD that can be experienced by adults, babies, and children, to GERD symptoms ranging from mild to chronic here.
Symptoms of GERD are common in adults
Unlike the usual increase in stomach acid, the increased stomach acid due to GERD can cause various symptoms over a period of time. Either it only happens about 2 times a week, or it can even last for several weeks to months.
However, it is important to note that the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease that are experienced by each person may differ according to their age group.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, the following are various characteristics of GERD that are usually experienced by adults, including:
1. Chest feels like burning
The most important symptom of GERD is a burning feeling in the middle of the chest, or just above the stomach. This condition is familiarly known by the name heartburn, which can then make the chest feel sore or uncomfortable.
The severity of this chest pain can vary, sometimes being mild enough to feel very severe. Even so great, some people can even guess whether they have a sudden heart attack or not.
It’s just that, chest pain as a symptom of GERD is different from a heart attack. Chest pain due to GERD is usually felt right in the chest, as if traveling from the stomach down to the throat. While a heart attack, usually there is pain in the left side of the chest.
In addition, if it is chronic, usually the symptoms of GERD appear after eating, which can get worse at night.
2. Symptoms get worse when lying down
People who experience GERD usually complain of symptoms that get worse when their body is lying down, aka lying down. For example, chest pain that feels worse, even continues to cough until it causes a low sound when breathing (wheezing).
More than that, you may also feel nausea that gets worse when your body is in a lying position. That is why people who have GERD or acid reflux problems are strictly prohibited from sleeping after eating. This condition can make you wake up exhausted.
3. The mouth feels sour or bitter
Another symptom of GERD that can be easily detected is the appearance of a sour or bitter taste in the back of the mouth. This condition can occur because food or stomach acid, which should have been in the digestive system, actually rises back up into the esophagus.
After going up into the esophagus, food or stomach acid will enter into the back of the throat. This is what then makes the mouth taste sour or bitter.
4. Problems arise in the teeth
If you suspect the possibility of experiencing GERD symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily have to be marked by an increase in stomach acid (heartburn). The reason is, GERD can cause symptoms in the form of tooth decay and the surrounding tissue.
You see, when stomach acid rises back into the esophagus, the liquid can enter until it reaches the mouth. Without realizing it, this will erode the surface of the tooth and the hard layer of protective tooth (enamel).
The more and more often stomach acid rises into the esophagus, over time it will also further damage the surface of the teeth and the enamel layer.
5. Other symptoms
Just like any other disease, GERD that a person has for several years (chronic) will develop more severe symptoms, such as:
- A lump appears in the throat like food is stuck
- It’s hard to swallow
- Breathing problems
- Nausea and vomiting
If the symptoms of chronic GERD continue to get worse at night, you may develop other conditions, including:
Symptoms of GERD are common in children
Not much different, the symptoms of GERD experienced by children are also similar to those of adults. For example, your child may experience stomach pain after eating and other discomfort.
Even some of them can also experience other GERD features, such as nausea, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. All these symptoms of GERD can make it difficult for children to eat.
Unfortunately, most children are still unable to communicate with their symptoms. Therefore, parents or caregivers must observe how the condition is in order to make it easier for doctors to diagnose the disease.
The characteristics of GERD in babies
Babies are not able to communicate and convey complaints as smoothly as adults. Therefore, detecting GERD symptoms in infants tends to be more difficult than in children and adults.
In order to find it early, pay attention if your little one experiences the following GERD features:
1. Babies often cough and vomit while eating
GERD experienced by babies can make food that has entered their stomach, instead it rises back up into the esophagus. Especially if this condition occurs when your little one is eating.
As a result, the baby will choke, cough, vomit and release all the contents of his stomach. In fact, when the stomach acid that rises from the stomach enters the throat, it can make it difficult for the baby to breathe.
2. Babies look uncomfortable after eating
Apart from being visible when eating, babies who have GERD can also show symptoms of discomfort after eating. Try to pay attention when your little one seems to often bend over as if he is arching his back, or has colic.
Colic is a condition that makes a baby cry continuously for more than 3 hours a day for no apparent reason. If your little one does this often, there is a chance that he may experience GERD symptoms.
3. Babies have difficulty eating until they lose weight
The frequency of experiencing discomfort in the stomach when eating, may make the baby may refuse whatever you serve. This then affects his weight.
Unlike babies his age, your little one’s weight may not increase or it may decrease from day to day.
4. Babies have trouble sleeping
Not much different from adults, the symptoms of GERD experienced by babies can also get worse when they are in a sleeping or lying position. This is because when the baby lies down, stomach acid will automatically rise and flow back into the esophagus.
This could be one of the reasons why your little one often feels uncomfortable while sleeping, even waking up in the middle of the night.
When to see a doctor
The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease may resemble the symptoms of other diseases, so you need a doctor’s help to determine the cause of GERD as well as a diagnosis of the disease. Immediately visit the nearest doctor or hospital if you experience symptoms, such as:
- Symptoms that don’t improve or get worse than usual, especially in people who have chronic GERD
- Severe chest pain, such as a tight squeeze in the chest
- Feel short of breath, dizziness, nausea, cold sweats while undergoing activities
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
