Symptoms Of Acid Reflux

Bloody Vomit Or Stool

Bloody vomit or stool indicates the patient is bleeding somewhere in their gastrointestinal tract. Since this symptom can sometimes be caused by a serious condition like cancer, the patient should always see their doctor to have it checked out. If possible, they should take the vomit or stool with them, so the doctor can examine it and determine the cause.

In acid reflux, the stomach acids can cause inflammation of the esophagus that can lead to bleeding. The patient may either vomit up food particles streaked with red, or they may vomit food mixed with what looks like coffee grounds. The latter is actually blood that has been sitting in the digestive tract for several hours. The patient may also pass a bloody stool that will be black and tar-like.

Heartburn

Heartburn, also known as acid indigestion, is one of the more common symptoms of acid reflux. With heartburn, the patient experiences a painful burning sensation that can travel up from the stomach to the upper abdomen or chest. In some cases, the burning sensation goes all the way up to the patient’s throat. Lying down or bending over tends to make heartburn worse. This symptom also tends to be worse after eating, and it can last for several hours.

Common causes of heartburn include anything that puts too much pressure on the stomach. Examples include pregnancy, constipation, obesity, and overeating. Certain medications and foods can also increase the risk of this. Foods that can cause heartburn by increasing the amount of stomach acid include coffee, alcohol, tomatoes, citrus fruits, peppermint, chocolate, onions, and garlic.