Symptoms of Acid Reflux Throat

Symptoms of Acid Reflux Throat

Effects on the neck

The acidic juices that are pushed from the stomach back into the esophagus cause acid reflux in the throat. The affected person's throat becomes irritated due to the presence of acid in the partially digested food from the stomach. Persistent reflux of acid can cause throat or throat discomfort, leading to sore throat and voice problems. Such laryngo-pharyngeal symptoms, unlike the typical heartburn associated with GERD with which a person can easily identify, can catch the victim unexpectedly and are therefore called silent or atypical reflux.

Symptoms

Symptoms of acid reflux throat include the accumulation of excessive mucus or phlegm in the throat, causing frequent throat clearing, causing hoarseness or a sore throat, feeling a lump in the throat, a feeling of choking, and wheezing. There remains a persistent sensation in the throat of a coating or stuck food. The problem is particularly pronounced in the morning. The voice does not remain natural and sounds sluggish. People severely affected by acid reflux may develop pneumonia or throat ulcers. This results from an injury to the esophagus caused by the partially digested acidic juice. If left untreated for a long time, reflux can even cause esophageal or throat cancer. The longer the disease lasts, the more severe the scarring of the vocal fold. Irritable and crying children can indicate acid reflux in the throat, which leads to respiratory problems, difficulty swallowing, choking, pneumonia and asthma.

Things to avoid

The throat and vocal folds affected by acid require further treatment to heal. Acid reflux throat symptoms are made worse by throat lozenges and cough drops that contain eucalyptus oil and menthol because they not only cause throat irritation but also stimulate the stomach to secrete more acid. Other things that can make the situation worse include mouthwashes, breath fresheners, gums, and hard candy.

Inspired by James Mwangi