Symptoms of GERD Disease

Symptoms of GERD can include heartburn, belching, coughing, difficulty swallowing, nausea and vomiting, regurgitation, sore throat, hoarseness, and chest pain, to name a few. In severe cases, the reflux may lead to damage of the lower part of the esophagus.

The risk factors for GERD include smoking, obesity, and the presence of a hiatal hernia.  A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm (the large muscular structure that separates the chest from the abdomen).  Not all people who have a hiatal hernia will have GERD.  As a matter of fact, in most cases a hiatal hernia produces no symptoms.

Single episodes of reflux are usually brought on by certain types of foods.  Examples include chocolate, caffeinated beverages, fried or fatty foods, spicy foods, and citrus fruits, to mention a few.  Certain medications may also bring about reflux.