These are the most common GERD symptoms.
What are the most common GERD symptoms affecting people? Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms include heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest often occurring after eating and worsening at night, and regurgitation, where a sour or bitter-tasting acid backs up into the throat or mouth. Individuals may experience dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), chest pain that can be mistaken for heart issues, and a chronic cough, especially at night.
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Burning – throat
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The throat can feel inflamed and irritated when stomach acid reaches the throat, a condition called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). This can lead to a painful burning sensation in the throat, often aggravated by swallowing or talking. It may cause a persistent sore throat or even voice changes over time.
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Burning – esophagus
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This sensation is often the hallmark of acid reflux, felt as a painful, burning feeling just below the chest or behind the breastbone. It occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation of the esophageal lining. The sensation can worsen after eating or when lying down, making it a frequent complaint in GERD patients.
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Heartburn
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Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen, often caused by stomach acid that rises into the esophagus. It can be triggered by certain foods, spicy dishes, or lying down after eating. Heartburn can last from a few minutes to several hours, often exacerbated by stress or poor dietary choices.
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Difficulty breathing
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Difficulty breathing can occur when stomach acid enters the respiratory tract, leading to symptoms similar to asthma, including wheezing and shortness of breath. GERD-induced difficulty breathing is especially common when lying down after eating.
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Burping
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Frequent burping or belching is often associated with GERD due to the presence of gas in the stomach. Acid reflux can cause bloating and discomfort, and the body responds by releasing the trapped gas through belching. This symptom is particularly noticeable after eating or drinking carbonated beverages.
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Difficulty swallowing
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Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, occurs when the esophagus becomes narrowed or irritated from acid exposure. This can make swallowing food or liquids feel difficult or painful. In severe cases, people may feel like food is stuck in their throat or chest.
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Nausea
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Nausea in GERD is often related to stomach irritation from acid, which can make the person feel like vomiting or generally unwell. It may occur alongside other GERD symptoms, particularly after eating or when lying flat, making it difficult to get relief.
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Headache
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Some individuals with GERD experience headaches, which may be linked to the stress and discomfort caused by reflux or the dehydration that can occur from vomiting or frequent regurgitation. GERD-related headaches are often exacerbated by lack of sleep, poor diet, or high stress levels.
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Regurgitation
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This refers to the backflow of stomach contents, including acid, into the mouth. It can be accompanied by a sour or bitter taste and a sensation of food coming back up. It typically occurs after meals or at night when lying down, and can sometimes cause a person to wake up coughing or choking.
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Bloating – stomach
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Stomach bloating occurs when the stomach expands due to excess gas, which can be caused by acid reflux. It can lead to discomfort, a feeling of fullness, and visible distension of the abdomen. GERD-related bloating is often worse after meals or at night.
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Lump in throat
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The feeling of a lump or tightness in the throat, known as globus sensation, is a common symptom of GERD. This sensation is caused by the irritation of the esophagus or larynx due to refluxed stomach acid. It can make swallowing feel uncomfortable or difficult, even when there’s nothing physically obstructing the throat.
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Bad taste in mouth
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A common symptom of acid reflux, a bad taste in the mouth typically occurs after regurgitation. It often has a sour or bitter flavor due to stomach acid, which may linger for a while. This can leave an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth, particularly when lying down or waking up in the morning.
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Stiff neck
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GERD may lead to referred pain, where discomfort originating in the digestive system manifests in other areas of the body, like the neck. The stiffness can be a result of muscle tension from the discomfort or stress caused by the chronic symptoms of GERD.
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Chest pain
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GERD-related chest pain can feel like pressure, burning, or tightness in the chest, often mimicking the symptoms of a heart attack. It is typically triggered by acid reflux and may worsen after meals or when lying down. While it’s not usually heart-related, chest pain from GERD should still be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out other causes.
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Cough
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A persistent, dry cough is a common symptom of GERD. When acid irritates the respiratory tract or vocal cords, it can lead to inflammation and coughing, often worsened by lying down or eating certain foods. GERD-related cough is typically worse at night or early in the morning.
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Difficulty with deep breathing
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Reflux can cause a sensation of tightness in the chest or a feeling of being unable to take a full breath. This can happen when stomach acid irritates the diaphragm, making it feel constricted, or if refluxed acid reaches the airways, causing breathing difficulty or wheezing.
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Throat clearing
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Constant throat clearing is a common reflex response to the irritation caused by acid reflux. It is the body’s attempt to clear mucus or acid from the throat and airways, which may accumulate as a result of stomach acid irritating the esophagus and larynx.
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Post nasal drip
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Acid reflux can cause irritation in the throat and sinuses, leading to post-nasal drip. This results in the sensation of mucus dripping down the back of the throat, which can cause coughing, throat clearing, and discomfort.
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Hoarseness
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The vocal cords can become irritated when stomach acid is refluxed into the throat, causing hoarseness or a raspy voice. It’s common for individuals with GERD to wake up with a hoarse voice, which can persist throughout the day, especially after speaking or coughing.
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Morning cramp
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Morning cramps or discomfort are often caused by acid buildup overnight, when the esophagus is more relaxed. GERD sufferers may wake up with stomach pain or cramps, which are a result of reflux that occurred while lying down.
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Hiccups
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Persistent or recurrent hiccups can be a symptom of GERD, as stomach acid irritates the diaphragm, leading to involuntary contractions. Hiccups associated with GERD are typically more frequent after meals or when lying down.
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Bloating – general
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In addition to stomach bloating, general bloating can occur as a result of gas and discomfort from acid reflux. This can create a feeling of fullness in the abdomen and make the person feel uncomfortably full, even after eating small amounts of food.
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Tooth damage
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Refluxed stomach acid can erode tooth enamel, leading to increased tooth decay and sensitivity. The acid in the mouth can cause long-term dental damage, especially if regurgitation occurs frequently or goes untreated.
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Sleep apnea
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Acid reflux can trigger or worsen sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing stops temporarily during sleep. Refluxed acid can irritate the airways, leading to difficulty breathing, snoring, or episodes of gasping while asleep.
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Tickling feeling in throat
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A tickling sensation in the throat can result from stomach acid irritating the larynx or vocal cords. This can lead to chronic throat discomfort and frequent coughing or throat clearing.
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Ear infection
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Chronic acid reflux may cause inflammation in the ear canals, leading to ear infections or a feeling of fullness in the ears. The connection between GERD and ear infections is thought to be due to the refluxed acid affecting the nearby structures.
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Sour stomach
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The sour stomach sensation is a direct result of acid that has risen from the stomach into the esophagus, leaving a sour taste in the mouth and discomfort in the stomach area. This feeling is often most noticeable after eating acidic or spicy foods.
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Stomach spasms
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Spasms in the stomach, which feel like sharp, cramping pain, can occur when acid irritates the stomach lining. This can lead to a sudden, uncomfortable pain, often worse after eating or drinking.
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Laryngospasm
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Laryngospasm refers to the sudden closure of the vocal cords due to irritation caused by stomach acid. This can make breathing difficult and lead to feelings of choking or suffocation, often occurring after acid reflux episodes.
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Cough – induced by burping
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GERD can trigger coughing when acid is regurgitated into the throat, causing irritation. When burping, air and acid may rise together, leading to a coughing episode, often at night or after eating.
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Pain in upper spine
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GERD-related pain may radiate to the upper spine or back, causing discomfort or aching. The pain is often due to the pressure of acid reflux on the esophagus or diaphragm, causing referred pain to the back.
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Esophageal spasms
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Spasms of the esophagus can occur as a result of irritation from acid reflux, leading to intense, cramp-like pain. These spasms can be mistaken for heart-related pain but are related to the esophagus reacting to the acid.
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Barrett’s esophagus
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Barrett's Esophagus is a complication of long-term GERD, where the normal cells in the esophagus are replaced by abnormal cells due to repeated acid exposure. This condition increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
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Vomiting
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Severe GERD can lead to vomiting, especially after eating or when the stomach is full. Acid reflux may irritate the stomach lining, leading to the vomiting of food or stomach contents.
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Burning – nose
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Though rare, burning sensations in the nose can occur in people with GERD due to acid reflux affecting the nasal passages. This sensation is caused by the refluxed acid irritating the nasal mucosa.
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Lower back pain
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GERD-related discomfort may sometimes cause lower back pain, particularly if the acid irritates the esophagus or diaphragm, leading to referred pain in the back.
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Stomach pain
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Abdominal pain from GERD can feel like cramps or discomfort in the upper stomach area. This pain occurs when stomach acid irritates the stomach lining or esophagus, and can often be mistaken for indigestion.