GERD symptoms can be categorised into typical and atypical symptoms. With 60-85% of patients experiencing the classic symptoms of heartburn and or regurgitation.
Typical GERD symptoms include:
- Heartburn or a burning sensation in the throat and upper chest
- Regurgitation of food from the stomach into the back of the mouth
- Burning sensation in the chest 30-60mins after eating or on laying down
Atypical GERD symptoms include:
- Asthma can induce GERD
- Chronic cough
- Hoarseness
- Aspiration, which is choking on regurgitated foods
- Shortness of breath.
Furthermore, chronic damage to the esophagus may increase the risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with GERD. In a 5-year follow-up of subjects enrolled in the ProGERD study, it was seen that under routine clinical care, approximately 6% of patients with NERD progressed to BE. Obesity is the major risk factor for developing GERD.
