How do You Heal Throat Damage From Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is another name for indigestion, a severe form of which is GERD – Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. Reflux causes several throat related problems. Chronic coughing, hoarse voice, difficulty in swallowing, choking and wheezing are all the results of acid reflux. Too much acid can also cause ulcers in the throat.  

What causes it? 

Acid reflux is mostly a result of prolonged bad eating habits. At times, it is a genetic disorder or it may be due to medical conditions such as pregnancy or hiatal hernia.  

How the disease damages the throat 

The sphincter muscles at the base of the esophagus keep acid and food trapped inside the stomach. Due to excess pressure build-up, hiatal hernia, or when the sphincter muscles become weak, the acid and food particles often rise up into the esophagus. The cell lining the esophagus is soft and not acid-resistant. The corrosive acid irritates the esophageal cells and cause inflammation in the tissues. 

Healing throat damage  

If acid reflux is left untreated, it causes a condition known as Barrett's esophagus. Since Barrett's esophagus can lead to cancer, it is very important to heal whatever damage is caused to the throat by the acid. This is not very difficult, and can be achieved by the following:  

·         A change in the diet is the first and most important step in healing the damage caused by acid reflux. Certain foods cause excess acid production and should be avoided. Citrus fruits, caffeine, spicy foods, oily foods and refined foods are the most common sources of excess acid production in the body. Every person has his/her own list of foods that cause hyperacidity. You need to monitor your diet to figure out which food items trigger acid formation and avoid eating them. Stopping acid reflux is the first step towards healing your throat. 

·         Unhealthy addictions such as smoking and drinking not only cause hyperacidity, but also weaken the sphincter muscles, thus allowing more acid to rise into the esophagus. 

·         If you are overweight, you need to lose weight so that no extra pressure falls on your stomach and pushes acid up into your throat. 

·         Eat small and frequent meals. When the stomach is empty for a long time, the acid which is normally used for food metabolism keeps accumulating. Since the body is hungry, the acid production is more and after a certain period of time, it gets pushed up from the stomach. Eating frequently will utilize the acid and prevent excess acid production since the body will not feel hungry. 

·         Medication is the final step towards healing throat damage from acid reflux. Proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers work against this disease and reduce acid production respectively. Both types of medication help in healing ulcers and other scars formed due to this disease. Both types of medicine are available over the counter, but it is always best to seek a doctor’s advice before starting a course of medication. 

Non-medicinal means of treating sore throat damage  

The pain caused by having a sore throat can be reduced with a few self-treatments. Using vaporizers or humidifiers can soothe the pain caused by ulcers. Saliva is known to contain bicarbonates, which neutralize acid; therefore, trying to produce excess saliva will also ease some of the throat damage. Saliva production can be increased by chewing gum or sucking on sweets. 

Effects of throat damage if left untreated 

If acid reflux is not treated and damage not repaired, the consequences can be very dangerous. The cells of the esophagus will get into a cycle of damage and repair, and soon, the soft cells will be replaced by thick scar tissue. Formation of scar tissue is not only painful, but makes the voice hoarse and narrows the esophageal duct. Inflammation of the esophagus is another effect of this disease. Inflammation leads to Barrett’s esophagus, which may then lead to esophageal cancer. 

Acid reflux is a serious medical condition and should not be overlooked. If you suffer from it, get yourself checked and work on healing whatever damage it may have caused. Taking preventive and healing measures as soon as possible can put off the possibility of cancer in future. Therefore, get help for your condition immediately!