Acid reflux is not only uncomfortable but dangerous. Still, most of us know little about the condition. You might suffer from it and not even know it! Well, that has to change because acid reflux can be treated with great success — of course, first you must determine if you have it.
A few silent signs might tell you if acid reflux is responsible for your discomfort, heartburn and irritability. And knowing what they are can truly change your life! Here are the silent signs of acid reflux. See if these symptoms sound familiar!
What is Acid Reflux, Anyway?
You might have acid reflux without even knowing; it’s more common than you think! But what is acid reflux? Well, the condition occurs when your diaphragm, the muscle in charge of keeping your stomach contents in your stomach, fails to do its job.
Basically, eating large meals, being overweight or going to bed right after eating are the most significant causes of acid reflux. Still, smoking, drinking carbonated drinks, coffee or alcohol can also trigger it.
What happens then is that some of the acids in your stomach find their way to your esophagus, causing pain and discomfort. And although heartburn, regurgitation and nausea are common symptoms of acid reflux, some are more subtle. These are the silent signs of acid reflux.
Teeth problems
If you have acid reflux, your mouth and teeth might be in contact with more acid than they should, and that causes dental problems. Stomach acid is fairly strong and can erode your enamel and cause cavities and even yellowing teeth.
The worst part is, no matter how often you brush your teeth, if you’re regurgitating acid too often, the teeth will erode fast, and there’s little you can do about it. The good news is that if you suspect you have acid reflux, you can treat it and protect your teeth.
Wheezing and sore throat
When acid reaches your esophagus, it causes heartburn, but not always. Sometimes it just causes inflammation. Inflammation causes wheezing, a sore throat, and even a disturbing dry cough.
You might also experience nasal congestion, just as if you were experiencing a cold, and that’s because your body produces mucus to protect itself from the acid. That mucus causes congestion, phlegm and other secretions.
Respiratory symptoms are silent signs of acid reflux indeed, and we often ignore them or treat them as a viral infection. If you have a cough or a sore throat, talk to your doctor before auto-medicating. It might not be a cold at all.
Ringing in your ears
Yes, acid reflux can cause ringing in your ears. Why? Because our ears, nose, throat and mouth are all connected, but our ears are much more susceptible to acid.
The condition is called tinnitus and means there’s something wrong with your auditory system. And you don’t even need to hear a ring — it can also be a hum, a roar or a chirp. Any sound that comes from the inside and not from the outside is considered a warning sign.
Your auditory system is quite complex and fragile, so if you feel there’s something wrong with it, waste no time. If it’s acid reflux, you want to treat it fast.
Acid Reflux Is An Easy Fix!
You’ll be happy to know acid reflux can be treated with foaming agents, peptides and acid inhibitors. Your doctor will know what to do. And if you want to prevent acid reflex altogether, quit smoking, wait a few hours after dinner before going to bed, don’t wear tight clothes, and try to lose those extra pounds. Acid reflux is not the worst thing that can happen to you, but it’s annoying, so keep it at bay.
