Acid
Reflux Pain: The Cause of Your Discomfort
The acid
in your stomach is what causes acid reflux pain. Stomach acid
is there to digest food. While your stomach’s healthy
lining can tolerate stomach acid, your esophagus cannot. Therefore,
when acid travels from your stomach to your esophagus, it
causes a painful burning sensation, usually in the center
of the chest (also known as heartburn).
Acid reflux
pain, however, is not limited to your chest. Acid reflux pain
can occur anywhere from your abdomen to your throat. Each
patient experiences acid reflux pain a little differently,
but if you have acid reflux, you may notice acid reflux pain
in the following areas:
- Chronic sore throat
- Regurgitation of acid
in the throat
- Painful swallowing
- Nighttime chest pain
- Upper abdomen pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chronic coughing
Occasional
heartburn is normal, but if symptoms occur two or more days
per week, it’s a sign that you have acid reflux pain
and therefore, acid reflux disease. Over time, if the acid
continues to travel up into the esophagus, the esophagus will
become irritated, worn, or eroded, causing more acid reflux
pain and possibly other complications. While you may believe
that chest pain is actually acid reflux pain, persistent chest
pain should not be ignored as it may indicate a life-threatening
problem.
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