Acid reflux is the silent culprit behind many things that plague Americans, but parade as other things. Each year, millions of Americans suffer from heartburn acid reflux and you just may be one of them! While you may think you’re just a chronic snorer who has frequent coughing fits, it may be acid reflux symptoms.

Thirty-one patients flooded into the Brigham and Women’s Hospital emergency room in Boston, complaining of serious chest pain. It was later found that 57% of the patients merely suffered from Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. Study investigator Dr. Julia J. Liu commented, “Often the role of acid reflux has been overlooked as a potential factor in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with serious chest pain. But, it is important for patients never to assume their chest pain is caused by GERD, until they have been thoroughly evaluated by a physician to rule out heart disease. If they experience persistent chest pain, they should seek emergency medical care.”

There are two types of heartburn - upright reflux, where patients are awake with noticeable discomfort, and supine reflux, which is more frequent in women and occurs when patients are asleep. Nighttime GERD affects approximately 10% of Americans, according to a study done by Dynogen Pharmaceuticals. In a separate study (conducted at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson), nearly three-fourths of the patients with chronic gerd symptoms also suffered sleeping symptoms such as snoring, coughing and chest pain.

“Nighttime GERD affects a large number of patients, and the impact on sleep and quality of life should not be underestimated,” commented study leader Dr. Fass, who hopes to find more effective cures for supine reflux. Studies show that esophagus damage can occur with too much exposure to acid.

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