Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a medical condition that occurs when the acid from the stomach comes up into the esophagus and causes irritation. It is usually caused by the malfunctioning of the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus.
The most common red flags for GORD include heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, or regurgitation. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest, which can be accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth. Chest pain is a discomfort or pain in the chest, which is usually more severe than heartburn. Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, is when it is difficult to swallow food or liquids. Regurgitation is the return of partially digested food and stomach acid from the stomach up into the esophagus and mouth.
Other red flags for GORD include bad breath, hoarseness, dry cough, nausea, and vomiting. Bad breath is a common symptom of acid reflux, as the stomach acid can cause a sour or metallic taste in the mouth. Hoarseness is when the voice becomes strained or low in volume, which can be caused by acid coming up into the throat. A dry cough is a persistent cough that does not produce mucus. Nausea and vomiting can also be caused by stomach acid coming up into the esophagus.
If you experience any of these red flags for GORD, it is important to seek medical attention in order to determine the proper diagnosis and treatment.