When you think of acid reflux, your mind may travel to commonly associated problems—heartburn, nausea, bloating, and hiccups. But what you may not know is that there are a number of unusual symptoms of acid reflux.
In fact, some people can suffer from acid reflux without recognizing its manifestations or knowing what is causing their health issues. But undiagnosed and untreated GERD can put you at risk for several dangerous, long-term health problems.
You can potentially suffer from something known as Barrett’s esophagus. When you have this condition, your normal esophageal lining becomes altered from your stomach acid.
Even worse, your acid reflux may also increase your likelihood of developing esophageal cancer and stomach cancer.
It’s vital that you learn to recognize the unusual symptoms of acid reflux to avoid health problems that could have been prevented.
Here are 5 signs you may unknowingly suffer from GERD:
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Damage to Your Dental Enamel
When you have GERD, it’s possible to spot it by examining the state of the enamel on your teeth. According to the International Journal of Dentistry, the presence of tooth decay can indicate you’re suffering from “silent” reflux. In other words, your mouth can signal something is amiss with your digestive system.
In light of this, it’s important to go to the dentist on a consistent basis. If your dentist mentions something about your enamel, then you need to ask further questions.
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The Presence of Neck Pain
Neck pain is another symptom that lands on the list of the unusual symptoms of acid reflux. An article from 1999 from the American Family Physician explains that 20-60% of GERD sufferers develop symptoms in their head and neck without the classic sensation of heartburn.
The American Family Physician included other GERD symptoms that occur around the throat area:
- Trouble swallowing
- Feeling like there’s a lump in your throat
- Having a sore throat
- Developing hoarseness
- Dealing with a chronic cough
If you have neck pain as well as these symptoms, it’s even more important that you are tested for acid reflux.
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Experiencing Heart Palpitations
Acid reflux can actually create heart palpitations for GERD sufferers and indicate that you have digestive issues. However, you need to seek immediate medical attention if you have this symptom, because you may genuinely suffer from heart problems—not GERD.
The results of one study show that acid reflux disease may actually raise the likelihood you’ll experience atrial fibrillation. This heart condition is very dangerous and can increase your risk of heart failure and stroke.
The key is to not discount your heart palpitations, especially since your GERD is tied to serious heart problems.
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Postnasal Drip Unrelated to a Cold
While you may attribute your postnasal drip to a cold or allergies, it can actually indicate a very different problem. Sinus infections and postnasal drip are part of the unusual symptoms of acid reflux.
If you consistently develop sinus problems or if nasal fluids constantly drain down your throat, it’s something to consider. You may need to see if you have GERD.
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Abnormal Burping and Hiccups
A few hiccups and an occasional burp aren’t necessarily a cause for concern. But having more than the normative amount can signal you have acid reflux disease.
Pay careful attention to how often you burp. If these symptoms are present as well, you could have GERD:
- Fluid is present in your burp.
- After eating, you regurgitate some food.
- You experience nausea.
- Your stomach is bloated.
If you suffer from any of these 5 unusual symptoms of acid reflux, it’s time to consider if it’s time to talk to your doctor. But before you book an appointment, you need to understand that most doctors will recommend a certain path of treatment.
If you have acid reflux, you’ll likely hear you need to take H2 blockers or medications belonging to a class called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), which are linked to dementia, heart attacks, and kidney damage.
The good news is you have choices other than medication for your GERD.
You can address the root causes of your acid reflux without medication when you join the Cure Your Acid Reflux Program.
