Acid reflux is a condition where your stomach contents can move up into your throat or esophagus. These fluids include:

“Your stomach is covered in a lining that protects it from acids, but other parts of your body can be damaged by fluids, and this is what can happen if you don’t have this lining.”

The lower esophageal sphincter is made of muscle above your stomach. It is supposed to allow food to travel from your stomach to your stomach.

If it’s 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).

Many of the symptoms associated with acid reflux can be caused by gard.

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). It’s 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.

You can learn more about LPR and what you can do to stop it.

When stomach acid gets past your upper esophageal sphincter, it can damage your voice box. The parts of your body that are exposed to acids are less protected than the ones that are not.

You may have LPR without having the classic symptoms of GERD like There is a burning sensation in the stomach.. 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:

LPR works the opposite way of gystian intensifying when you are lying down. It tends to be felt more during the day when you are upright.

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

Acid reflux can be prevented with the most effective thing you can do. Smaller meal sizes are 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:

  • Alcohol.
  • It is a drug that has a lot of caffeine.
  • The beverages are made from sugar.
  • chocolate
  • foods with high acidity
  • high fat foods
  • mint
  • spicy food

If you’re 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:

  • Drinking cold milk: The cold temperature could feel soothing, and the calcium and protein in milk could help counteract reflux. High fat milk might aggravate your reflux, though, so try skim or possibly a less acidic plant-based alternative.
  • Eating cucumber: Cucumbers contain a lot of water, which might help to dilute the acid in your throat.
  • Drinking tea: While many teas are acidic, some herbal teas could provide reflux relief.

A doctor will usually start by encouraging lifestyle changes or 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.

Results may vary from person to person, though popular OTC antacids claim to provide relief immediately or in seconds. The instructions on the label are important when taking these medications. OTC drugs are meant to be used occasionally and should not be used too much.

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 have not been studied as rigorously. They will probably not treat the cause of acid reflux symptoms, but they will give you quick relief.

If you feel a burning sensation in your throat on a regular basis, it is best to speak with a doctor. This might be a useful measurement since gdre is a similar condition and is characterized as recurring at least two times per week.

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

“Acid reflux can be unpleasant. It can lead to more problems if left unaddressed. Many people don’t notice symptoms of acid reflux until it’s been going on for a while.”

Home remedies and OTC medications can be used if you have symptoms. If your reflux keeps coming back, you should see a doctor.