Do I Have A Bile Reflux Symptom?

Let's talk about what bile reflux is and then we will move into the common bile reflux symptoms.

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Bile reflux can happen to anyone at anytime including babies, small children adults and the elderly. No one is immune. First, let's discuss acid reflux.  The typical acid reflux that you experience is caused from . Perhaps you ate 'too good' (ie. rich foods or spicy foods etc.). This can lead to a build up of excess acids that simply overflow into your esophagus and cause pain in the breast bone or heart area of your chest. This is a normal condition that can happen when we do not take care of ourselves and have poor eating habits. People are more aware of acid reflux but they actually are very similar. The difference with acid reflux and bile reflux is that instead of (or in addition to) acid traveling back up the body, bile from the liver travels back up through the body.

This normal type of acid or bile reflux evolves to a disease when it becomes chronic (reoccurs over and over). The body has a mechanism for stopping the stomach's acid from flowing back up into the esophagus and beyond. It is called the lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter can become damaged over time due to chronic poor eating habits, sleep apnea or many other reasons including even old age.

So, how do you know if you have an acid or bile reflux disease symptom? The most poignant symptom is a burning sensation in the chest. Typically it would occur after you eat too much or if you eat food that is especially rich or spicy. Some common trigger foods include coffee, butter, chocolate and citric fruit. Now, if you over indulge or consume these trigger foods on an empty stomach you may feel this burning sensation. It could very well be an episode of acid or bile reflux. But, unless it is a chronic (ongoing) problem it is probably not acid or bile reflux disease.

Another common acid or bile reflux disease symptom is belching or burping excessively. Once again, poor choices in food can make us all belch but if you find this to be on ongoing issue, you may have acid or bile reflux disease.

The key here in both situations is if the conditions are frequent and ongoing. This may indicate that the lower esophageal sphincter is in a state of disrepair and letting excess gas or acid through. If these episodes are frequent, it is advised to see your physician as soon as possible and let him or her know you have an acid or bile reflux disease symptom.