Article: The common signs of acid reflux disease include heartburn, chest pain, trouble swallowing, a chronic dry cough or hoarseness, sore throat, a sour taste in your mouth, regurgitation of food or sour tasting stomach juices, and a sensation of a lump in your throat.  ”Heartburn” is a term that is commonly used to describe some of these symptoms grouped together. The accepted definition of heartburn is indigestion involving a burning sensation in your mid chest area that can spread into your throat, often accompanied by a bitter taste. Less common symptoms of acid reflux include nausea, vomiting, wheezing, ear pain, laryngitis, persistent need to clear the throat, and erosion of tooth enamel and other dental problems. Acid reflux is responsible for as many as 50% of non-cardiac chest pain cases. Many people go to the emergency room or urgent care treatment center due to chest pain, thinking they may be having a heart attack. Always seek medical attention when sudden or potentially life-threatening symptoms occur. If no evidence of cardiac problems are found, follow up with your regular doctor to see if you may be experiencing acid reflux. Provide as much detail as possible about your medical history. Treating your acid reflux effectively may depend on your doctor's knowledge of other diseases or problems.  This includes a complete history of any digestive problems you have had in the past, persistent sore throats, coughing, hoarseness or laryngitis, stomach pain, and any history of stomach ulcers or other GI disorders. Tell your doctor about any allergies you may have, especially since you may need to follow-up with testing procedures that use uncommon medications and contrast media. Include all medical conditions in the information you provide to your doctor, as well as any other doctors like radiologists and anesthesiologists that may be part of your healthcare team. Be sure to let them know if you think you may be pregnant. The list should include all prescription medications you are taking, plus over-the counter products, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Always let each of your doctors know when a new medicine is added, you start something new that is over-the-counter, or an existing medication is changed or discontinued.  Sometimes over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins that you may think are harmless, can be the primary cause of your stomach problem. Follow you doctor's instructions on how to safely stop and re-start you medications as you proceed with testing procedures. Acid reflux generally falls into three categories. The categories are important to understand since they guide your doctor in determining the next step in confirming your diagnosis of acid reflux disease.  The first category is called functional or physiologic GERD. This category includes people that do not have risk factors for acid reflux or any medical conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms. People in this group are often treated with lifestyle changes or milder forms of medications. Diagnostic testing may not be needed to start treatment as long as no other medical conditions or risk factors are present. It is up to your doctor. The second category is called pathological reflux disease. People in this category develop acid reflux symptoms and possible complications due to more severe and lingering symptoms and sometimes have co-existing medical conditions that make their acid reflux worse. Persistent acid reflux that has not been treated for an extended period of time falls in this category. The third category is called secondary GERD. This means that another underlying medical condition may be causing or contributing to the development of acid reflux. For example, people that have a gastrointestinal disorder that causes problems with stomach emptying may develop acid reflux due to that condition. Once you know you have acid reflux, follow the treatment suggestions provided by your doctor. If the treatment options provided do not seem to be working, then let your doctor know. Serious complications from acid reflux disease are possible.  The most common complication from acid reflux is called esophagitis. This means the esophagus becomes inflamed, irritated, or has areas of ulceration. This condition can get much worse over time if the acid reflux is not effective treated. Stricture is a complication that often develops in advanced forms of esophagitis. Stricture is commonly caused by continued exposure of the esophagus to stomach acid. Localized inflammation, scar tissue, or other tissue damage to the esophagus, cause it to become rigid and/or tight which makes it difficult for food to pass and difficult to swallow. People with a stricture from prolonged acid reflux disease often have trouble with vomiting undigested foods or difficulty swallowing solid food. In many cases, this requires surgery to repair. Another complication that may arise is called Barrett esophagus and occurs in approximately eight to 15% of people with acid reflux. Long-term exposure of the esophagus to stomach acid causes changes at the cellular level leading to dysplasia. Dysplasia is a change that is observed in tissues during the early development of cancer. The development of Barrett esophagus can lead to a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma, which is the most common type of esophageal cancer. This is the most serious complication associated with GERD.

What is a summary?
Identify the symptoms of acid reflux disease. Inform your doctor of your medical history. Provide a complete list of your medications. Familiarize yourself with the different characterizations of acid reflux. Take your symptoms seriously.