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Have you been troubled by a cough in any form for some time? According to doctors you should find the cause. It may not be a serious health problem, but on the other hand it is better to detect possible health issues as early as possible. Read the doctors’ advice.
If you are bothered by a dry cough that even wakes you at night, if you wheeze after waking or feel that some object is stuck in your throat, pay attention. It may be the initial symptoms of inflammation caused by laryngopharyngeal reflux. What does that mean and how to fight reflux? We have summarized the most important information for you in this article.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux
What are we talking about? Laryngopharyngeal reflux refers to the trickling of gastric juices from the stomach into the area of the esophagus and pharynx, and in some cases even up to the throat. If reflux has troubled you for a longer period, acidic substances together with pepsin damage the airways. It was previously thought that pepsin works only in the stomach, where the pH is around 2. However, studies have shown that the enzyme also acts after it reaches the throat.
Unlike unpleasant heartburn, laryngopharyngeal reflux does not manifest with any unpleasant sensation. It is therefore difficult to recognize that this ailment is troubling you. At the same time, however, pepsin is very important for the body. This digestive enzyme acts as a catalyst for digestive processes and breaks down proteins.
How would our digestion function without pepsin? Hardly. It would take much longer and the body would struggle with food. It only becomes a problem when it starts to get where it shouldn’t – that is, outside the stomach. Pepsin damages the mucous membranes of the airways and causes their inflammation.
Symptoms of reflux
Always consult your doctor regarding any unpleasant bodily symptoms. It is nevertheless good to think about what might be causing your problems. When the stomach contents reach the surface of the airway mucosa, it can lead to irritation of the nerve endings of the esophagus. This triggers coughing or the sensation of a foreign body in the throat.
One of the most common causes of reflux is eating before sleeping. When a person lies down, gastric juices and undigested food have a direct path into the esophagus and pharynx. Experts recommend not eating for two to three hours and minimizing fluid intake about an hour before falling asleep.
Treatment of reflux
A guaranteed remedy against laryngopharyngeal reflux is ionized or naturally alkaline water. Both naturally have a pH of around 8 or higher. They can therefore be used daily after consulting a specialist. An improperly diagnosed reflux and excessive drinking of ionized or alkaline water could cause stomach problems.
Even if you are not specifically troubled by laryngopharyngeal reflux, it is recommended to include naturally alkaline mineral water in your diet from time to time. It balances pH and is suitable after consuming acidic foods, which include, for example, fruit and vegetables (tomatoes), as well as spicy and heavier dishes. Based on studies, scientists have already found that regular drinking of alkaline water helped up to 87% of those tested, and that already after 12 days!
To prevent over-acidification of the respiratory mucosa, a simple piece of advice is recommended that you should follow upon waking: drink a glass of water every morning, thereby flushing unwanted substances from your throat and thus cleaning the mucosa. If you adopt this habit, you will avoid unpleasant sensations in the throat and potential coughing.
