4 Symptoms of Acid Reflux and How to Treat Them to Prevent Worsening
Did you know that your stomach lining produces acid every day? This fluid, made of hydrochloric acid, is useful for digesting food.[1] So, the presence of this fluid is actually normal. However, you certainly should not ignore the signs of acid reflux when it occurs.
Because, even though the presence of stomach acid is very normal, when this fluid rises into the esophagus, there will be an uncomfortable sensation. In fact, if left unchecked, this condition can lead to complications that are difficult to heal, such as esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) and Barrett's esophagus (damage to the esophagus).[2]
Therefore, know what the symptoms of acid reflux are and how to handle them before your condition gets worse!
Signs of Acid Reflux
Basically, acid reflux is a normal condition if it only happens occasionally. Usually, this occurs when you consume foods you don't tolerate well, fatty foods, spicy foods, and certain other types of food. This is a natural reaction of your stomach.
However, if the intensity is very frequent, or even daily, then those are signs of severe acid reflux. Here are some signs you can recognize!
1. Heartburn

It is important for you to know that the disease related to acid reflux is GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. From the name alone, you can easily conclude that this is a disease of reflux (flowing back) from the gastric (stomach) to the esophagus.
So, there are actually no signs of acid reflux rising to the lungs, because this disease only occurs in the stomach and esophagus area. If there is a sensation of heartburn or a burning feeling in the chest, it is not because the acid reflux has gone up to the lungs. Rather, the fluid is rising into the esophagus.[3]
2. Dyspepsia

As mentioned earlier, one of the causes of acid reflux is consuming the wrong foods. Additionally, this condition can also occur when your stomach is empty or too full. So, the source of the problem is indeed in the stomach area.
Therefore, it is natural that you will experience dyspepsia syndrome or discomfort in the abdomen when experiencing acid reflux. There are many signs you can recognize when this dyspepsia syndrome strikes, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating or a feeling of fullness
- Excessive burping
3. Regurgitation

In addition to the stomach, acid reflux problems can also occur due to issues in the esophagus, specifically in the area of the esophageal sphincter muscle ring. This muscle has a valve that opens and closes when you swallow food.
However, if the muscle is too relaxed or weakens, hydrochloric acid in the stomach can easily reflux and rise into the esophagus. One of the signs is regurgitation, which is when food that has been digested by the stomach returns into the mouth.[4]
When this happens, you may feel an acidic and bitter taste at the back of your throat. Not infrequently, this condition is accompanied by symptoms of difficulty swallowing, coughing, or a sore throat.
4. Respiratory Tract Disorders

Although related to the digestive tract, it is not uncommon for acid reflux to also disrupt your respiratory system. This often happens to asthma sufferers. This is because asthma often makes acid reflux worse, and vice versa.[5]
How to Handle Acid Reflux
After knowing the signs of acid reflux rising into the esophagus, it is now time to know how to handle it. This is because acid reflux is very disruptive to your activities and can lead to serious complications. So, learn more about how to treat acid reflux below!
1. Adopt a Proper Diet

The first thing you need to do is adopt a proper diet so that the digestive process can run more smoothly. The easiest way is to reduce the portion size while increasing the frequency of meals.
If you usually only eat twice a day, now try to get into the habit of eating four times a day. One meal portion can be split in two so that your nutritional intake is maintained. If possible, try to eat regularly at the same time every day.
Read Also: 6 Ways to Treat Acid Reflux, Note the Steps!
2. Take Acid Reflux Medication

Besides diet, taking acid reflux medication is also effective for managing GERD, for example, antacid-type drugs. In general, you can take this medication when your stomach is still empty, about 1 hour before eating.
In addition to generic drugs, there are also herbal medicines that you can use as an alternative, such as Sido Muncul Natural Sari Kunyit Plus Soft Capsule. This supplement is made from turmeric and black pepper, which have long been clinically proven to address stomach problems.
So, when you feel the signs of acid reflux, you can safely take 2 capsules of this herbal medicine 3 times a day. However, do not forget to read the usage instructions on the packaging so that its consumption can be safer.