Symptoms Of Acid Reflux

Dry Cough Or Wheezing

A dry cough or wheezing is another symptom of acid reflux. In fact, GERD is one of the more common causes of a chronic cough; over twenty-five percent of patients with a chronic cough have it. Signs a chronic cough is linked to acid reflux or GERD include coughing when the patient is lying down or coughing that starts after the patient has eaten. A doctor may also suspect GERD or acid reflux if the patient’s chest X-rays come back normal or they have no other symptoms of conditions like asthma. Similarly, the patient’s cough may indicate acid reflux or GERD, if the patient doesn’t smoke and isn’t exposed to environmental factors that can trigger a chronic cough.

In acid reflux, the stomach acid can travel from the esophagus to the lungs and cause swelling in the airways. The resulting shortness of breath will cause the patient to wheeze. This is especially likely to happen when they are sleeping.

Chronic Sore Throat

A chronic sore throat is another common symptom of acid reflux. In fact, many patients with acid reflux will develop a sore throat instead of acid indigestion. Throat pain associated with acid reflux tends to have several characteristics, the most common of which is the sensation of having a lump in the throat. Acid reflux can also cause an irritated and reddened larynx or a burning sensation in the mouth. The patient’s throat may also feel tight, and they may feel as if they are choking. Similarly, they may also feel as if they have mucus in their throat. Other symptoms include halitosis, constant throat clearing, or food sticking in the throat.