The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, which is the return of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus towards the larynx and mouth, is a disease that strikes a large number of people and can lead to cancer if not treated well. The main symptoms include:
- Burning in the stomach that can go up to the throat;
- Stomach pain in the larynx and / or pharynx;
- Feeling of weight in the stomach;
- Arroto;
- Heartburn;
- Indigestion;
- Frequent cough;
- Difficulty in swallowing food;
- Laryngitis;
- Asthma.
Symptoms tend to get worse when folding the body down to pick up something from the floor, for example, or when the subject remains horizontal after the meal, as occurs at bedtime.
Constant reflux can cause intense inflammation of the esophagus wall, called esophagitis, which, if left untreated, may even lead to cancer. Understand esophagitis and what to do to treat.
Symptoms of reflux in infants
Reflux in babies also causes the contents of food from the stomach to return to the mouth, so some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate this situation include:
- Constant vomiting;
- Restless sleep;
- Difficulty in suckling and weight gain;
- Hoarseness due to inflammation of the larynx;
- Otites of repetition.
In addition, the baby may develop recurrent otitis due to frequent airway inflammation or even aspiration pneumonia due to food entering the lungs. To learn more about the symptoms of infant reflux see: Reflux in baby.
What to do if you have reflux
In cases of suspected reflux, it is necessary to seek care from the general practitioner, gastroenterologist or pediatrician, who can evaluate the symptoms, the physical examination and, if necessary, request tests such as gastric pH or endoscopy, for example.
It is also very important to make changes in the diet, avoiding foods that facilitate reflux, such as fats, fried foods, tomato sauces, mint and pepper, as well as be advised to avoid bulky meals, alcoholic drinks or lie down immediately after eating. Here's how to fight this disease.
See also, in the video below some tips to get rid of reflux naturally: