Can acid reflux cause nausea and diarrhea

What Are the Common Acid Reflux Symptoms?

Heartburn, regurgitation, and dyspepsia are a few of the most common acid reflux symptoms.

Heartburn. Also called acid indigestion, heartburn is a burning pain or discomfort that can move up from your stomach to the middle of your abdomen and chest. The pain can also move into your throat. Despite its name, heartburn doesn't affect your heart.

Regurgitation. Another common symptom of acid reflux is regurgitation -- or the sensation of acid backing up into your throat or mouth. Regurgitation can produce a sour or bitter taste, and you may experience "wet burps." 

Dyspepsia. Many people with acid reflux disease also have a syndrome called dyspepsia. Dyspepsia is a general term for stomach discomfort. Symptoms of dyspepsia include:

• Burping
• Nausea after eating
• Stomach fullness or bloating
• Upper abdominal pain and discomfort

Symptoms of acid reflux may be a sign that stomach acid has inflamed your esophagus. When that happens, stomach acid can damage the lining of your esophagus and cause bleeding. Over time, it can also change the cells of esphagus and cause cancer (Barrett's esophagus).

Although acid reflux is extremely common and rarely serious, don't ignore your acid reflux symptoms. Making a few lifestyle changes and using over-the-counter antacids are often all you need to control acid reflux symptoms.

When Do Acid Reflux Symptoms Occur?

Acid reflux symptoms most often occur:

• After eating a heavy meal
• When bending over or lifting an object
• When lying down, especially on your back

People who have frequent acid reflux symptoms most often experience them at night. Nighttime GERD also produces the most pain. However, the level of pain does not always indicate the degree of damage to your esophagus.

More than half of all pregnant women experience heartburn during pregnancy. Increased hormones and pressure from a growing fetus can combine to produce this acid reflux symptom. In most cases, heartburn improves or completely goes away after delivery.

What Makes Acid Reflux Symptoms Worse?

Certain foods can make the symptoms of acid reflux worse for some people. To lessen your symptoms, try avoiding:

• Citrus fruits
• Chocolate
• Caffeinated drinks or alcohol
• Spicy, fatty, or fried foods
• Garlic and onions
• Peppermint
• Tomatoes

Are There Potential Complications With Acid Reflux Symptoms?

Usually, acid reflux symptoms cause no complications. In a few cases, continued esophageal damage can lead to scarring, which may cause the esophagus to narrow. The narrowing creates strictures and makes it difficult to swallow. You may have dysphagia, a sensation that food is stuck in your esophagus. In some cases, normal cells in the lining of the esophagus may be replaced by a different type of cell. This is called Barrett's esophagus, which can sometimes develop into cancer.

When Should I Call the Doctor With Acid Reflux Symptoms?

Be sure to call your doctor if you don't get lasting relief from medications. Also call the doctor right away if you have any "alarm" acid reflux symptoms, such as these:

• Unexpected weight loss
• Blood in vomit
• Black, tarry, or maroon-colored stools
• Difficulty or pain with swallowing

Other acid reflux symptoms that should prompt a call to your doctor include:

• Asthma-like symptoms, such as wheezing or dry cough
• Hoarseness, especially in the morning
• Chronic sore throat
• Hiccups that don't let up
• Nausea that lasts for more than a day or two

Sometimes, people confuse the symptoms of heart attack with symptoms of acid reflux disease. That's because pain in the chest can feel like heartburn. When in doubt, call your doctor.

That burning, uncomfortable sensation in your chest? It’s probably heartburn. Heartburn is a very common ailment that affects many people for many reasons. It occurs when digestive acid escapes the stomach and irritates the delicate lining of the esophagus.

Usually, it’s the result of eating certain foods, or simply overeating, and can be treated with over-the-counter antacids. But sometimes, heartburn is a symptom of bigger problems, that require other solutions. Here’s when to call a doctor:

Frequent/constant heartburn or heartburn everyday

If you have frequent or constant heartburn (more than twice a week or heartburn everyday), you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that connects the esophagus and the stomach. If you have constant heartburn, you should schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist.

When working properly, the LES serves as a barrier that prevents digestive acid from the stomach from leaking into the esophagus. However, if the LES is weakened or malfunctioning, stomach acid can reach the esophagus and cause repeated bouts of heartburn. Over time, GERD may damage your esophagus, or lead to a serious complication called Barrett’s esophagus. In Barrett’s esophagus, repeated exposure to stomach acid causes changes to esophageal cells. These damaged cells can transform into esophageal adenocarcinoma, a potentially fatal cancer.

If GERD is suspected, your doctor may perform an endoscopy, a procedure in which a lighted scope is inserted into the esophagus, to examine the digestive tract.

Abdominal Pain

If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain or bloating in addition to heartburn, you may be suffering from gastritis. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and may be caused by bacteria, infection, chronic vomiting, or excessive use of alcohol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen. An endoscopy will reveal the extent of the damage to your stomach lining.

Hiccup or cough

A persistent cough or hiccup may be a sign of a hiatal hernia, a condition in which part of the stomach slips through a hole in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle between the chest and the abdomen that plays a crucial role in breathing: when your diaphragm contracts, it inflates your lungs, allowing you to inhale. It has a small opening through which the esophagus passes. If the stomach slips through this opening, it can cause severe heartburn, in addition to chest or abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, or shortness of breath.

Difficulty Swallowing

If you find that it is difficult or painful to swallow in addition to suffering from heartburn, you may have esophagitis. Esophagitis is inflammation of esophageal tissue, that is often caused by GERD. If esophagitis is suspected, your doctor may order an endoscopy to assess the damage to your esophageal lining.

Nausea or vomiting

Nausea and vomiting may be signs of GERD, hiatal hernia, or esophagitis. Regurgitation of the stomach’s contents may occur as a complication of any of these conditions. This regurgitation often results in a “sour taste” that causes some patients to feel nauseated or lose their appetite. Extreme nausea or vomiting may also be a sign of a serious medical emergency – a heart attack.

Severe chest pain or pressure

If you experience severe chest pain or pressure, especially in combination with pain in the jaw, neck, or back, nausea and vomiting, or difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately. You may be having a heart attack.

Conclusion

Heartburn is a common annoyance that is usually harmless, but it could be a sign of a bigger medical problem. If you have constant heartburn or its interfering with your daily life, contact your doctor to discuss treatment options or request further testing.

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