IS IT ; HEARTBURN , ACID REFLUX , GERD OR LPR ?
Do you ever experience ; a burning sensation or pain in your chest when you bend over or lay down ? A sore throat with a bitter – sour taste in the back of your throat ? Frequent throat clearing or coughing , with a feeling of excess mucus on your throat that never seems to go away ? Difficulty in breathing or swallowing ? Choking episodes that even awaken you in a panic from your sleep ? If any of the above is true , then you might be experiencing one of the following : Heartburn , acid reflux , GERD or LPR .
Although the terms ; Heartburn , acid reflux , GERD and LPR are sometimes used interchangeably , they all have different meanings . However , some symptoms presented can be indistinguishable .
It is not uncommon for a person to experience Heartburn and acid reflux intermittently due to diet and lifestyle habits , such as eating fast and then immediately lying down after eating . However , for chronic conditions such as GERD and LPR , doctors have to probe deeper , beyond a patient ’ s diet and lifestyle habits , into parts of the patient ’ s anatomy that may be complicit in triggering the conditions . Normally , treatment , depending on the underlying cause ( s ), can include diet and lifestyle changes , medicines and in some rare cases , surgery .
Heartburn
In reality , Heartburn has actually nothing to do with the heart . Heartburn is an uncomfortable burning feeling emanating from your chest , that can move up to your neck and throat . It can sometimes be mistaken for heart attack pains . Heartburn occurs when stomach acid moves into the oesophagus – acid reflux . Unlike the stomach walls that are designed to accommodate the acid , the oesophagus reacts to the acid , causing a burning sensation in the chest . Heartburn is a common condition . It normally occurs after eating . Bending down or lying down too quickly after eating , can make it feel worse . It can last from a few minutes to several hours .
Symptoms associated with Heartburn
• Burning sensation in the chest or throat after a meal
• Hot , sour or acidic taste in the back of your throat
• Urge to belch
• Difficulty in swallowing
Acid Reflux ( Gastroesophageal Reflux – GER )
Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux . The stomach and the oesophagus are separated by a ring of muscles called the gastroesophageal sphincter . This normally acts as a oneway valve , which allows food from the oesophagus into the stomach . When this ring of muscle , malfunctions and instead , allows acidified stomach content back into the oesophagus , symptoms of acid reflux occur . Acid reflux occurs when acidic stomach content flows back into the oesophagus .
Symptoms associated with Acid reflux
• Heartburn
• Dysphagia – sensation of food being stuck in your throat
• Bloating
• Sore throat
• Nausea
• Regurgitation of acid into the throat or mouth
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Vomiting
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ( GERD or GORD )
GERD is a condition characterised by severe acid reflux . This is when a person experiences acid reflux , twice or more in a week .
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux ( LPR )
Also known as silent reflux . This is a chronic condition , where the acid reflux effect goes all the way past the oesophagus , up to the throat or voice box called the pharynx / larynx . When the stomach acid comes into contact with the vocal cords and the throat , it causes inflammation which can trigger symptoms such as coughing , hoarseness , throat clearing and dysphagia
While GERD and LPR can occur together , people can also experience GERD or LPR alone . It is also common for patients with LPR not to experience typical symptoms of Heartburn related to GERD .
Symptoms associated with GERD and LPR
• Heartburn
52 Term 1 Sep - Dec 2021 After the Bell