Symptoms

• If you suffer from GERD, you will probably experience heartburn.
  • Heartburn is a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest up towards the neck.
  • You may produce gas and belch, feel bloated or suffer from indigestion.
  • It may also cause significant distress and have a negative effect on your wellbeing.
    
• If you suffer from GERD, you may develop esophagitis. Reflux esophagitis is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the lining of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach).
  

Figure 2: Esophagitis - endoscopic view

• Patients with esophagitis experience a burning sensation in the lower chest immediately after swallowing hot fluids (eg tea and coffee), alcohol, concentrated fruit juices or hot, fatty food.
• Esophagitis is associated with damage (ulceration) to the lining of the esophagus. In some people, lifestyle changes or medicines will allow the lining of the esophagus to heal and return to normal. However, repeated damage may lead to scarring and narrowing of the esophagus (a stricture), and this may result in difficulty in swallowing (also known as dysphagia) and you may feel that food is stuck in the throat.
• Esophagitis may also result in bleeding from the esophagus. If you experience red or black faeces (when you go to the toilet), cough up blood, or suffer from anaemia, you should consult your doctor.
• Swallowed food may come back into the mouth, and you may vomit.
• You may suffer from a cough, particularly at night.
• You may experience hoarseness, a sore throat and throat clearing.
• You may develop chronic sinus problems, develop asthma or wheezing.
• Some people suffer from dental diseases.
• In some people, the lining of the esophagus does not heal properly after it has been damaged. As the cells heal, they change so that they are more like the cells lining the stomach. This is known as Barrett's esophagus.
• There is a very small risk of developing esophageal cancer if you have persistent acid reflux.

Click here to download the GERD impact scale. It will help your doctor to assess the severity of your condition.