What should you know about severe acid reflux?

Reflux happens when stomach contents move upwards into the food pipe. It may cause burning behind the breastbone, a sour taste, regurgitation, upper abdominal discomfort, cough, or difficulty sleeping. A Chronic Cough can sometimes accompany reflux, but cough has many possible causes.

Hiatus Hernia and Obesity can increase pressure or affect the barrier between the stomach and food pipe for some people. Symptoms alone cannot confirm the cause, especially when discomfort feels like Chest Tightness.

Try smaller meals, avoid lying down soon after eating, and raise the upper body during sleep if advised. Identify personal triggers such as late meals, alcohol, or foods that reliably worsen symptoms rather than following a long restrictive list.

A clinician or pharmacist can review medicines and suggest a suitable plan. Take prescribed treatment as directed, and arrange review if symptoms return frequently, affect sleep, or continue despite treatment.

Call emergency services for chest pressure or tightness with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, faintness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Do not assume these symptoms are reflux.

Seek prompt care for food sticking, painful swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools, repeated vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or severe Abdominal Pain. A new or steadily worsening Cough also warrants assessment.

Ask whether your symptoms fit reflux, whether another condition should be checked, how long to use treatment, and what to do if night symptoms or cough continue.