Severe GERD Symptoms and How to Determine If You Have GERD

Heartburn is a condition characteristic of acid reflux, which affects millions of people around the world. In most cases, sufferers do not experience any permanent or severe GERD symptoms. However, some patients tend to experience severe GERD symptoms such as chronic heartburn. These severe GERD symptoms are likely to lead to dire complications including esophagitis, ulcers, laryngeal disease, peptic strictures, asthma, Barrett’s esophagus, chronic coughing and adenocarcinoma.

GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease is normally caused by the malfunctioning of the lower esophageal sphincter – LES. A weakened LES is unable to properly prevent the stomach contents from rising back up into the esophagus. This leads to reflux, which in severe cases may be exhibited by severe GERD symptoms. Severe GERD is a persistent, widespread and recurring condition which sees the reflux persisting even during the patient’s acid suppression therapy.

There are some key warning indicators of severe GERD that you should look out for. These include dysphagia, iron deficiency, anemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, early satiety, odynophagia, choking, chest pain, unexplained weight loss and vomiting. It is important for the patient to undergo a comprehensive medial examination by a physician in order to detect these symptoms and complications. At this point the doctor will also need to look at the patient’s entire medical history to enable them to make a correct diagnosis. Thereafter, the patient should seek treatment in order to relieve the symptoms, as well as treat any lesions they may have. During treatment, it is important to observe a good healthy diet, which will have the patient avoiding foods that cause reflux.

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the physician will be able to advice on which type of treatment is best for the particular patient. There are various types of treatment available such as pharmacological therapy, surgery, lifestyle and dietary adjustments, as well as natural remedies for chronic reflux.