Hidden Signs of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is also commonly referred to as just "reflux." The most common signs of reflux are usually obvious. Frequent heartburn, nausea and a feeling of food getting "stuck" on the way down are commonly reported. All of these are the result of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. Less commonly known is the fact that there are sometimes cases of "silent" GERD, with symptoms not commonly recognized by either the sufferer or the doctor.

Silent Signs of Gerd

Sometimes reflux is manifested by signs that most people would not associate with heartburn. These might include:

• Chronic hoarseness

• Wheezing

• Asthma or asthma-like breathing difficulty

• Difficulty swallowing

• Chronic sinus problems

It is entirely possible that any or all of these symptoms can be caused by GERD, especially if you do have frequent heartburn at the same time.

How Can I Not Know I Have Heartburn?

It's actually not that complicated. The heartburn caused by GERD is not always directly after eating. One can have a meal at dinner time and not develop reflux until several hours later, at which time the sufferer might be asleep. If the heartburn component is not especially severe, it will not interrupt sleep or you might only wake up briefly, not noticing any pain. In addition, lying flat can aggravate GERD. So reflux occurs, is made worse by the body's prone position, but is also not felt.

Gradually the victim of this creeping problem develops a repetitive hoarseness. Then maybe a slight wheezing tendency that comes and goes appears. Painful swallowing may begin to manifest. The doctor will often pass these things off as other problems, but it is actually the backwash of acid far enough up the esophagus to affect the trachea or even the sinuses.

Not Knowing Can Be Dangerous
Untreated reflux can be very serious, eventually leading to a permanently scarred esophagus and a condition called Barrett's esophagus...a precancerous condition. This can lead to esophageal cancer, which is very dangerous.

If you have these symptoms, especially when accompanied by frequent heartburn, see your doctor. Quite a few doctors have never seen the connection or had many GERD patients and may dismiss your complaints as you making an "internet diagnosis." If you have to, insist on seeing an ear, nose and throat specialist or getting a second opinion. Bring some medical articles like those listed below to bolster your case. It's your health, so don't skimp on time or effort.

Reflux and its complications are certainly treatable once you have the proper diagnosis, so don't put it off. After all it's your health.