Patients with GERD may have extra-esophageal symptoms showing sputum, while those with only esophageal symptoms are sputum-free.
1. Sputum: mainly due to pharyngolaryngitis and aspiration pneumonia caused by the irritation or injury of the pharynx or lungs by refluxed material (such as gastric acid, pepsin, pancreatic enzymes, etc.), which may manifest extraesophageal symptoms such as cough and sputum.
2. Absence of sputum: The most common and typical esophageal symptoms of GERD are reflux (called acid reflux when it contains sour taste) and heartburn, while atypical symptoms can be seen such as chest pain and a foreign body sensation in the back of the sternum.
GERD patients should pay attention to their diet, avoiding cold, hard, spicy and irritating foods, sweets and acid-producing foods, etc. It is also recommended that patients seek medical treatment as soon as possible, and take acid-suppressing medications under the guidance of a physician.