Do you know that in addition to the many disorders of the esophagus, acid reflux or GERD can also cause problems related to the ears, throat and respiratory system?

Acid reflux can cause chronic coughing, hoarseness or voice change and even earache.

Commonly acid reflux can lead to esophageal disorders.

Here is the list:

Esophagitis

Ulcers.

Strictures.

Barrett’s Esophagus.

Adenocarcinoma.

These are serious and distressing complications of acid reflux but we must also be aware of the other potential manifestation of this serious condition and include them in our acid reflux treatment plan if symptoms suggesting these conditions develop.

Gastric acid contains pepsin and a high concentration of the acid hydrochloric acid. The lining of the stomach is configured to accommodate these two chemicals. The rest of the gastro-intestinal tract above the stomach are not.

Gastric contents, refluxed up from the stomach, not only reach the esophagus. It can reach as far as the trachea, the bronchi, the lungs, larynx, pharynx and the mouth and teeth. Occasional reflux does not pose a problem but injury results when the refluxed gastric contents are frequent and remains for a significant length of time.

Cherry and Margulies in 1968 first highlighted the extra-esophageal manifestation of GERD. They described three patients with pharyngo-laryngeal reflux and laryngeal ulcers. Acid reflux treatment resolved the problem in these three patients.

Dr. Phil Hariram.