Stop Acid Reflux Blog

What may seem like a cold or allergy with a scratchy throat that just won’t go away may not be your run-of-the-mill cold. It may be something much worse– acid reflux.

Bonnie Cano, a patient:
“You always feel like you have something stuck in the throat, a lot of hoarseness, a lot of post nasal it’s not fun.”

And when allergy medicine wasn’t making it go away– Cano headed in to see her Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. With a scope, Dr. Pandit could see it wasn’t a cold or congestion causing her discomfort, but acid reflux.

Dr. Rajiv pandit, an E.N.T. specialist:
“What happens is acid comes right out of there and spills over onto the voice box.”

And doctors are seeing more cases just like Bonnie’s.

Dr. Pandit:
“50% of the people that we diagnose with acid reflux have no heartburn.”

Because stress can be a trigger, doctors say they’re seeing younger people with A-Typical acid reflux. The prescription for bonnie… 3 months of medication. Within just two months there’s signs of improvement.

Dr. Pandit speaking with Cano:
“The areas of redness are gone, the swelling is down.”

Cano:
“It’s nice to know I can actually do something to get rid of that throat problem I had.”

Doctors say cases like this can be cleared up with a few months of medication and a change in diet. That means not eating within three hours of bedtime, and avoiding spicy foods, caffeine and peppermint.

(info from http://www.kten.com/article.asp?id=9991)

They are the same thing.

Often referred to by the shorter names “acid reflux” or simply “reflux,” gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition, usually in conjunction with a weakness of the ring of muscle (hiatal hernia) that prevents stomach acid from backwashing up into the delicate esophagus.

GERD often causes cough, heartburn, gas and other annoying symptoms. The condition should be treated with drugs, such as Pepcid AC and others. If symptoms persist despite therapy, patients should seek out a gastroenterologist, because chronic reflux may lead to a premalignant condition known as Barrett’s esophagus.

The diagnosis of GERD is made during X-rays of the upper gastrointestinal tract or by endoscopy (viewing the esophageal and gastric linings through a fiber-optic tube).

QUESTION: Several months ago I went to an ear, nose and throat doctor about a sore throat that came on every night after going to bed. He said it was caused by acid reflux and told me to take Prilosec for a month. It works fine, but the package info is disturbing. It says to take it for 14 days and then wait before taking any more. The doctor tells me to keep taking it as long as it’s working so well. What should I do?

ANSWER: Prilosec suppresses the stomach’s production of acid. It’s a popular acid-reflux (GERD, heartburn) medicine. Readers will be surprised you take it to stop nightly sore throats. Acid reflux can have unusual symptoms — sore throat being one. Stomach acid can trickle upward into the throat and irritate it.

The instructions for Prilosec say to use it only for 14 days and then wait four months before starting another 14-day course. But read the instructions again. They also say to use it in this way unless you have been directed otherwise by a doctor. You have been directed to use it otherwise.

One reason for limiting its constant use has to do with the absorption of vitamin B-12. Stomach acid is necessary to absorb that vitamin from food. However, people who use Prilosec or medicines closely related to it for prolonged periods have not been shown to be at great risk for developing a B-12 deficiency.

Secondly, high doses and prolonged use of the medicine lead to tumors in some lab animals. Tumors have not been found in humans.

Many doctors have their heartburn patients take the medicine indefinitely. You can do so too.

Or, if you are willing to experiment, you can stop the medicine and see what happens. You might not develop sore throats. If you do, start it again.

The heartburn booklet discuss the symptoms and treatment of this common malady. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 501, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6.75 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

(c) 2005 North America Syndicate Inc.
All Rights Reserved

(info by Paul G. Donohue, M.D. from http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/072805/hn1.htm?date=072805&story=hn1.htm)