Sore throat and bad taste: the hidden symptoms behind gastric reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when stomach acid returns to the esophagus and causes heartburn. Although many people experience acid reflux on occasion, when it becomes repetitive, it can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease.
TL;DR
- Gastric reflux disease occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
- Recurring acid reflux can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Key throat symptoms of GERD include persistent cough, hoarseness, sour taste, throat clearing, and inflammation of the back of the throat.
- Other symptoms may include chest burning, heartburn after eating, reflux of food or liquid, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a feeling of a lump in the throat.
- Nighttime reflux can specifically cause continuous cough, laryngitis, and worsening asthma.
- Silent reflux may have minimal esophageal symptoms, with throat pain being the primary indicator.
- Stomach acid reaching the pharynx can cause vocal cord inflammation, leading to hoarseness, a feeling of something in the throat, and cough.
- Recommendations include identifying and avoiding trigger foods (spicy, fatty, acidic), not lying down for three hours after eating, elevating the head of the bed, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol.