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Acid reflux is a condition where digestive fluids can leave your stomach and move back up into your esophagus or throat. More specifically, these fluids include:

Your stomach is coated in a lining that allows it to withstand strong acids, but other parts of your body dont have this same lining and can be damaged by these fluids.

There is a valve made of muscle just above your stomach called your lower esophageal sphincter. Its supposed to allow swallowed food to travel in one direction: from your esophagus to your stomach.

If its unable to close properly or remain closed, though, stomach acid can enter your esophagus. If this happens frequently enough, you might be diagnosed with a common condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD can lead to many of the symptoms often associated with acid reflux, such as:

There is another valve at the top of your esophagus called your upper esophageal sphincter. If stomach acid escapes this sphincter, it enters your throat. This is called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Its sometimes called silent reflux because the symptoms might go undetected for a long time.

LPR is distinct from GERD. Though both conditions are common, LPR is not quite as prevalent. It is possible to have both LPR and GERD.

Read on to learn more about LPR and what you can do about it.

When stomach acid gets past your upper esophageal sphincter, it can damage your pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box). These parts of your body have even less protection against acids than your esophagus.

You may have LPR without having the classic symptoms of GERD like heartburn. The common symptoms of LPR include:

According to research from 2017, other symptoms included on a clinical test for LPR the reflux symptom index (RSI) are:

While GERD is well known for intensifying at night when youre lying down, LPR usually works the opposite way. It tends to be felt more during the day when youre upright.

According to 2022 research, damage to the tissues in your throat from stomach acid can decrease your bodys ability to resist infections.

The most effective thing you can do is prevent acid reflux in the first place. Smaller meal sizes might be a good place to start.

If you smoke, experts recommend smoking cessation. This can be difficult, but a doctor can help build a plan that works for you. If you are overweight or have obesity, it may help your reflux if you lose weight.

You might also want to avoid consuming things that trigger your reflux. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, triggers might include:

If youre already feeling the symptoms of acid reflux in your throat, you may be looking for relief. In that case, a 2011 study of pregnant people documents several home remedies that were helpful, at least anecdotally. The study is a few years old, but you still might find it beneficial.

Home remedies include:

A doctor will usually begin by encouraging lifestyle changes or recommending over-the-counter (OTC) remedies.

If these fail to provide adequate relief, a doctor could prescribe proton pump inhibitors or histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2 blockers). These medications use different methods to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces.

In serious cases, if no other treatments work, surgeries such as fundoplication might be an option to address acid reflux in your throat.

Popular OTC antacids claim to provide relief immediately or in seconds, though results may vary from person to person. Its important to follow the instructions on the label when taking these medications. OTC drugs are meant to provide occasional relief and should not be overly relied upon.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), H2 blockers typically take 1 to 3 hours to start working, while proton pump inhibitors are meant to be taken regularly as a preventive measure.

Home remedies havent been studied as rigorously. You can expect that they might provide quick relief for the symptoms of acid reflux in your throat, but they probably wont treat the cause.

If you feel the symptoms of acid reflux in your throat on a regular basis, its best to speak with a doctor about it. GERD, which is a similar and sometimes related condition, is characterized as recurring at least two times per week, so this might be a useful measurement.

According to 2022 research, untreated LPR can lead to other conditions, such as:

When acid reflux enters your throat, it can be unpleasant. Left untreated, it can lead to further complications. Many people may not notice symptoms of acid reflux in their throat until it has been going on for a while, though.

If you do have symptoms, you can try home remedies and OTC medications. If your reflux continues to come back, you should meet with a doctor for an evaluation.

Read more from the original source:
How to Get Rid of Acid Reflux Effects on Your Throat - Healthline