A sore throat caused by stomach acid, usually experienced as a lump in the throat, is one of the main symptoms of acid reflux. When a person has acid reflux, stomach acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus and irritates its lining. In fact, acid reflux can be considered the main symptom of GERD in people with GE. It is not viral

If you often suffer from heartburn and sore throat, join us in this article from GCORP LLC to share with you 10 of the best medical and home remedies to treat a sore throat caused by stomach acid.

What is the cause of sore throat caused by stomach acid?

The lower esophageal sphincter of a person with GERD is weak and does not close tightly... This lower sphincter, called the LES valve, opens to deliver food and drink into the esophagus and then closes to prevent reflux.

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If the LES is weak, it cannot close tightly and prevent stomach contents from coming back up....this causes food particles and stomach acid to back up into the esophagus and damage the throat..

If this symptom occurs once or twice a week after eating, there is nothing to worry about, but if it repeats more often, it indicates GERD and you should definitely see a doctor for treatment.

Treatment of sore throat caused by stomach acid with medicine

To treat a sore throat caused by stomach acid, the underlying cause of gastric reflux must first be determined. Usually, the doctor prescribes a medicine to reduce or neutralize the stomach acid, which leads to the improvement of the sore throat and heartburn. The best medicines include the following:

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1- Antacids

Antacids are over-the-counter (OTC) medications that neutralize stomach acid. On the other hand, compounds in antacids help relieve a sore throat caused by stomach acid by neutralizing stomach acid. Common types of antacids include:

• Calcium carbonate
• sodium bicarbonate
Magnesium hydroxide Aluminum hydroxide
• magnesium trisilicate

2- H2 blockers

H2 blocking drugs prevent the excessive production of stomach acid by blocking the histamine receptors on the stomach cells.

The most common H2 blocker drugs that can be obtained without a prescription are:

• Cimetidine under the brand name Tagamet
• Famotidine under the brand name Pepcid
Nizatidine under the brand names Tazac and Axid

3- Proton pump inhibitors (PPL)

PPL drugs are among the most powerful drugs for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux, which are very effective in reducing the production of stomach acid. These drugs block the acid pumps on the cells that produce stomach acid and prevent excessive production of stomach acid..

The most common proton pump inhibitor drugs that should be prescribed by a doctor are:

• Omeprazole
• Esomeprazole

Home treatment for sore throat caused by stomach acid

A sore throat caused by stomach acid can usually be helped by making a small lifestyle change. In fact, home remedies can reduce stomach acid reflux and prevent its serious side effects such as sore throat....

The best home remedies for acid reflux and sore throat include:

1- Eat slowly and little

If the stomach fills with a large volume of food and quickly, the acid-soaked contents are more likely to back up into the esophagus. Doctors usually recommend eating smaller meals.

2- Avoid eating foods that stimulate acid reflux

To prevent gastric and esophageal reflux and to help heal a sore throat caused by stomach acid, it is better to limit the consumption of the following foods:

• fatty foods
• spicy foods
• Mint
• Onions and garlic
• Tomatoes
• Tea
• Fruits like oranges and lemons
• coffee
• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• carbonated drinks

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3- Do not lie down immediately after eating

Doctors recommend that there should be at least 2 to 3 hours between food and sleep. In fact, gravity helps the stomach acid to stay in the stomach and not return to the esophagus when standing or sitting. That's why it's better not to take a nap after lunch, don't eat dinner late, and avoid midnight snacks.

4- Avoid fast movements

Another home remedy that helps relieve a sore throat caused by stomach acid and gastric reflux is not to do heavy activities and exercise immediately after a meal. Doing vigorous movements, especially bending after a meal, causes stomach acid to enter the esophagus, which leads to inflammation in the throat and pain.

5- When sleeping, place the head at a higher level than the body

Usually, it is recommended that people with esophageal reflux place their head 15 to 20 cm higher than their legs when sleeping to prevent stomach acid from returning to the esophagus and throat.. For this purpose, you can put an extra pillow under your head, but be careful not to damage the neck and spine.

6- Reduce your weight

Weight gain is one of the effective factors that affect the lower esophageal sphincter and prevent it from closing by reducing the pressure.... In this way, the lower esophageal valve remains open and with the return of stomach acid, the person constantly feels heartburn and sore throat.

7- Do not smoke

Nicotine in cigarettes can relax the lower esophageal valve and lead to acid reflux. Most experts believe that reducing nicotine consumption can help improve the sore throat caused by stomach acid and acid reflux.

Can sore throat caused by stomach acid be treated with traditional medicine?

Treatment of sore throat caused by stomach acid is possible in traditional medicine with medicinal herbs. Traditional medicine doctors believe that it is better to use the following to reduce sore throat caused by stomach acid:

• Ginger and honey tea
• Chamomile tea
• Licorice tea
• Marshmallow root tea
• fennel tea

Drinking these herbal remedies can help relieve a sore throat and reduce stomach acid.... However, you should see a doctor to treat a severe sore throat caused by stomach acid and acid reflux....Also, before taking herbal remedies, you can get an online consultation from GCORP LLC nutritionist to ensure that they do not interact with chemical medications.

How long does it take for a sore throat caused by stomach acid to heal?

Usually, the result of taking drugs that treat this condition varies from person to person.... Doctors believe that antacids relieve the sore throat caused by acid reflux immediately after taking them.. However, they should not be taken in excess...

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it takes one to three hours for H2 blockers to take effect in the body. On the other hand, proton pump inhibitors should be taken regularly as a preventative medicine..

Currently, the results of using home remedies to treat sore throat caused by acid reflux have not been fully studied. You can expect home remedies to help relieve acid reflux symptoms like a sore throat, but they won't treat the underlying cause of the reflux.

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When is surgery used to treat a sore throat caused by stomach acid?

When drug treatment and lifestyle changes do not help to improve sore throat caused by stomach acid, surgery is recommended.. The doctor uses the fundoplication method to strengthen or reconstruct the lower esophageal valve..

What should we eat for immediate treatment of sore throat caused by acid reflux?

Another home remedy to treat a sore throat caused by stomach acid is to consume the following foods:

• Cold milk: A cold drink like milk can be helpful for a sore throat caused by stomach acid that is not caused by an infection.. On the other hand, the protein and calcium in milk counteracts acid reflux.. But remember to drink low-fat milk to treat a sore throat caused by stomach acid... because high-fat milk aggravates acid reflux.
• Cucumber: Cucumber is another cool and useful food for stomach acid, which helps to dilute the acid in the throat due to its high water content.
• Herbal tea: Black tea is acidic, but some herbal teas such as thyme, ginger, cinnamon and licorice tea help reduce acid reflux and relieve the resulting sore throat.

A brief look at sore throat caused by stomach acid

The return of stomach acid to the esophagus and its entry into the throat creates an unpleasant feeling like a sore throat.. Most people do not notice the sore throat caused by stomach acid for a long time and think that this condition is due to a viral infection. See a gastroenterologist..

To receive gastroenterologist online consultation from the best general practitioners and specialists, you can visit the GCORP LLC website.... GCORP LLC provides you with the possibility to make an appointment with the doctor of your choice through the online appointment system for face-to-face, telephone or online consultation..

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: healthline | health line