Do you experience frequent bouts of heartburn? Does food or sour-tasting fluid often come up from your stomach into your mouth?
You may have acid reflux. While almost everyone experiences indigestion occasionally, persistent symptoms could be a sign that you need to see a doctor for treatment.
Keep reading to learn more about what kind of doctor treats acid reflux.
What is Acid Reflux?
Typically, your stomach contents move down. However, when acid and other stomach contents flow back up and into your esophagus and throat, it’s known as acid reflux.
The acid that travels backward can irritate and inflame tissue inside the esophagus or the tube that carries food and liquid from your throat to your stomach. While many people experience acid reflux from time to time, some have it more often.
At the entrance of the stomach is the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This ring of muscle acts as a valve, opening to let food and liquid pass through to your stomach and closing soon after to prevent the backflow of stomach contents.
However, if the LES opens frequently or doesn’t close properly, acid from your stomach can spill over into your esophagus and cause symptoms such as a painful, burning sensation in your chest, called heartburn.
Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux. If you experience acid reflux symptoms two or more times a week over several weeks, it’s considered chronic.
Chronic acid reflux is commonly referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What Causes Acid Reflux?
Causes of acid reflux include:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- A hiatal hernia
- Previous chest surgery
- Connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma
- Some medications, such as NSAIDs, tricyclic antidepressants, hormone therapy medications, and benzodiazepines
Certain foods and drinks such as coffee, garlic, mint, onions, chocolate, alcohol, processed snacks, deep-fried foods, full-fat dairy products, and fatty cuts of meat can also contribute to acid reflux.
What are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux can affect your ear, nose, and throat and cause the following symptoms in addition to heartburn:
Stubborn Cough
A persistent cough, especially when lying down or shortly after eating, is a classic symptom of acid reflux. When acid from your stomach moves upward into your throat, it can irritate your throat and voice box, triggering a cough.
Sore Throat
A lingering sore throat that won’t go away can be a sign of acid reflux. If stomach acid leaks out of your stomach and into your throat, it can cause irritation and a sore throat.
Hoarseness
A hoarse voice, particularly in the morning, can be a tell-tale sign of reflux. Stomach acid can reach the upper part of your esophagus, affecting your larynx or voice box.
This can inflame the vocal cords, causing hoarseness. As a result, your voice may sound breathy, raspy, or strained.
Trouble Swallowing
You may have difficulty swallowing, also called dysphagia, as a result of acid reflux. Chronic acid reflux can damage your esophagus due to frequent inflammation.
You may find it hard to swallow solids or cough when swallowing. In some cases, you might experience pain when eating or feel like food is stuck in your chest or throat.
You may also experience a choking sensation when swallowing food or feel discomfort as food passes through your esophagus. Other symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Burping
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Bloody vomiting
- Black or bloody stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bad taste in the mouth or bad breath
- Hiccups that are hard to eliminate
- Regurgitation or a sour-tasting acid going back up into the throat or mouth
What are the Complications of Acid Reflux?
Left untreated, acid reflux can become chronic and cause dental erosion and gum disease over time. It may also lead to complications such as:
Esophagitis
Esophagitis is the inflammation of the tissues that line your esophagus. Chronic esophagitis can lead to chronic pain and ulcers in your esophagus.
Barrett’s Esophagus
Without treatment, repeated exposure to stomach acid can cause serious inflammation and permanently changes the lining of your esophagus. This may lead to a precancerous condition known as Barrett’s esophagus.
Esophageal Cancer
Barrett’s esophagus can eventually turn into esophageal cancer without treatment. This makes treating chronic acid reflux very important.
What Kind of Doctor Treats Acid Reflux?
If you’re experiencing acid reflux symptoms, seeing an ear, nose, and throat or ENT specialist is essential. ENT doctors are professionals specializing in disorders and diseases of the throat, ears, nose, neck, and head.
They also perform a broad range of surgical procedures, from minor interventions to complex surgeries. An ENT specialist can evaluate, diagnose, and successfully treat acid reflux, preventing or lowering your chances of potential complications.
How is Acid Reflux Treated?
After an accurate diagnosis, your ENT specialist will tailor an acid reflux treatment plan that may include:
Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
Your ENT doctor may recommend the following lifestyle changes:
- Quitting smoking
- Losing weight if necessary
- Eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime
- Raising the head of your bed 4 to 6 inches
- Identifying and avoiding trigger foods
- Eating smaller meals throughout the day
Prescription Medication
Your ENT specialist may prescribe medications like:
- H2 blockers to decrease acid production
- Proton pump inhibitors, which are stronger acid suppressers that also prevent and heal ulcers
- Prokinetics to tighten the LES, decrease acid reflux, and empty your stomach quicker
Surgical Procedures
In some cases, your ENT specialist may recommend surgery if you experience side effects from taking medication, still have acid reflux despite using medication, or your esophagus has narrowed or is bleeding. Your surgery options may include:
Nissen Fundoplication
During the Nissen fundoplication procedure, your surgeon will wrap the top part of your stomach, called the fundus, around the LES. This helps strengthen the valve and prevent acid reflux.
Most patients who undergo this procedure experience considerable improvement in their symptoms or live symptom-free.
LINX Device
The LINX procedure involves implanting a stretchy magnetic band around your LES. The magnetic band keeps acid from flowing upwards, reducing acid reflux symptoms.
Put a Stop to Acid Reflux
At Indianapolis Sinus Center, our ENT specialists are experienced in treating acid reflux. They can correctly diagnose your condition and provide the most effective treatment to alleviate bothersome and damaging symptoms of acid reflux, bring lasting relief, and prevent possible complications.
Do you have symptoms of acid reflux? Schedule your appointment at Indianapolis Sinus Center in Indianapolis, IN, today to explore treatments that could help you find relief!