Acid reflux symptoms: 7 unexpected signs you shouldn’t ignore
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) can present with atypical symptoms like chronic cough, hoarseness, and sleep issues, even without traditional heartburn. Medical experts advise investigating these persistent signs to prevent long-term complications.
Why it matters
Public awareness of non-traditional symptoms of common conditions can lead to earlier diagnosis and better health outcomes for patients.
LIFESTYLE NEWS - A persistent cough, a hoarse voice in the morning or a sour taste in the mouth may not immediately seem linked to the stomach.
However, these can be signs of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), even when the characteristic burning sensation of heartburn is absent.
"Usually, when we swallow food, it travels down the oesophagus, through a valve known as the lower oesophageal sphincter, into the stomach, where it is broken down by acid for digestion," says Dr Nasief van der Schyff, a gastroenterologist and specialist physician practising at Netcare UCT Private Academic Hospital.
Stomach acid is highly acidic, with a typical pH of between 1.5 and 3. When the lower oesophageal sphincter relaxes, acidic stomach contents can flow back into the oesophagus.
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