7. Nausea or Vomiting: GERD’s Unsettling Upset
For many, the idea of GERD conjures up images of heartburn or regurgitation. Yet, an often-overlooked symptom is the sensation of nausea or even episodes of vomiting. While not everyone with GERD will experience this, for those who do, it can be particularly distressing and disruptive to daily life.
At its core, GERD involves stomach contents moving in a direction they shouldn’t – upwards. When acid and partially digested food frequently reflux into the esophagus, the body might interpret this as a foreign invader, triggering the nausea reflex. In severe cases, the body’s response is to expel these contents through vomiting.
Alleviating this symptom revolves around minimizing reflux. This might involve dietary changes, like smaller, more frequent meals, avoiding trigger foods, and not lying down immediately after eating. Medications that strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter or reduce stomach acid can also play a pivotal role. (7)
