Reflux esophagitis grade a is often characterized by reflux, heartburn and chest pain.
The endoscopic manifestations of reflux esophagitis can be categorized into four grades, which are grade a, b, c, and d, respectively. When a patient has one or more mucosal breaks with a diameter of less than 5 mm in the lower esophagus, he or she is in the grade A stage of reflux esophagitis. Reflux esophagitis grade A often has the following symptoms:
1. Reflux and heartburn: are the most common typical symptoms.
Reflux is the sensation of stomach contents rushing into the pharynx or mouth without nausea and exertion, and it is called acid reflux when it contains an acidic taste or is only acidic water. Heartburn is a burning sensation behind the sternum or under the raphe, often extending upward from the lower part of the sternum.
Heartburn and reflux often appear 1 hour after meals, can be aggravated when lying down, bending over, some patients heartburn and reflux symptoms can occur at night when sleeping.
2. Chest pain: caused by reflux stimulation of the esophagus, occurring behind the sternum. In severe cases, it may be severe stabbing pain, similar to angina pectoris, with or without heartburn and reflux. Note that patients with chest pain need to have cardiopulmonary factors ruled out before they can be evaluated for GERD.
If the examination suggests grade A GERD with the above symptoms, the patient should be seen in a hospital and given targeted treatment under the guidance of a medical professional.