Silent signs of acid reflux you might be ignoring
Sore throat or hoarseness
A sore throat that doesn’t go away and isn’t accompanied by typical cold symptoms (like a runny nose) may in fact be a symptom of acid reflux. “Your throat feels sore because a little bit of acid is coming up from the oesophagus and irritating the throat,” says gastroenterologist Dr Gina Sam.
Unexplained hoarseness may be caused by stomach acid moving up to your larynx, or voice box, and tends to be more noticeable in the mornings when it’s had all night to travel while you were lying down.
Persistent cough or wheezing
“Wheezing or a cough that mimics asthma or bronchitis can be caused by acid reflux moving from the stomach to the lungs,” says Dr Evan Dellon, from the Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing.
On the other hand, wheezers and coughers can sometimes make themselves more prone to reflux because these actions put pressure on the belly and push stomach acid upwards.
You're having dental problems
If you’re a dedicated brusher and flosser but your dentist is still filling cavities and tells you your tooth enamel is eroding or notices discolouration, acid reflux may be to blame.
“Even a small amount of acid reflux making its way up from the oesophagus to your throat or mouth while lying down can impact tooth enamel,” says Dr Dellon.
Ringing in your ears
If your ears always ring (a condition known as tinnitus), especially after a meal, it may be caused by reflux getting into the sinuses and even the interior of the ear, says Dr Sam.
“A lot of patients see their ENT to get consults about sinus pain and ear ringing, but it’s often acid reflux,” she says.
You have trouble swallowing
Food getting stuck when you swallow, liquid that just won’t go down, or the sensation that something is stuck in your throat could all be signs of acid reflux, says Dr Sam. Chronic reflux can irritate the throat, and scar tissue can develop in the oesophagus and narrow it.
See your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing, as this can also be a symptom of other more serious conditions.
Nasal congestion
Nasal congestion that comes and goes may be caused by acid reflux. “If you’ve tried cutting down on reflux-producing foods and eating late at night and the symptom doesn’t go away, it’s probably just congestion,” says Dr Sam.
“But if it goes away and comes back, and then goes away again, it’s probably acid reflux.”
Image credits: Getty Images
This article originally appeared on Reader's Digest.