As of: February 7, 2024, 2:30 p.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
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When it comes to difficulty swallowing and hoarseness, many people don't immediately think of reflux as the cause.
Regular heartburn is considered a risk factor for esophageal cancer.
After a large meal or drinking alcohol, some people experience stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus (reflux), causing unpleasant heartburn.
In some cases, home remedies help well.
However, the symptoms can become particularly stressful if they occur regularly, especially when lying down, for example before going to bed.
There are those affected, like Dr.
Silja Schäfer from the
NDR nutrition docs
knows from practice that the heartburn is so extreme that it even attacks the vocal cords and is associated with unpleasant side effects.
Regular heartburn increases the risk of cancer
A nutrition plan and keeping a diary of your own eating habits can reduce and even prevent reflux and heartburn - this can reduce the risk of secondary illnesses.
Reflux manifests itself in different ways
Difficulty swallowing and hoarseness can be a side effect of reflux and heartburn.
© BRUNO / IMAGE POINT FR / BSIP/Imago
Reflux can manifest itself directly through heartburn or through unspecific side effects.
Then we speak of a so-called silent reflux.
Typical symptoms are:
Severe burning behind the breastbone
Belching
Burning in the throat
Pressure in the stomach area
stomach pain
Feeling of fullness
Frequent throat clearing
Feeling of “frog in the throat”
difficulties swallowing
Cough
hoarseness
Hoarseness in particular is rarely associated as a side effect of reflux and heartburn.
If the acidic stomach contents flow back into the esophagus and irritate it, it can also affect the vocal cords, ultimately causing hoarseness.
“You might have to explain a little bit about the anatomy.
So when I eat something, it first goes into my mouth and then I swallow it through my esophagus and then it goes into my stomach.
And heartburn means stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, [...] sometimes into the mouth [...].
And then it can also attack the vocal cords and lead to hoarseness,” explains Dr.
Silja Schäfer from the
NDR nutrition docs
in the podcast.
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Prevent hoarseness caused by heartburn
To prevent hoarseness caused by heartburn, it is advisable to take some measures.
A modified diet that limits fatty and spicy foods as well as acidic foods and drinks can help.
Dr.
Silja Schäfer recommends “clean eating” to prevent reflux in the long term.
Avoiding large meals before bed and elevating your upper body while sleeping can also reduce stomach acid reflux.
Consequences of hoarseness due to heartburn
Stomach acid that enters the esophagus can irritate the delicate lining of the vocal cords, causing swelling and inflammation.
This in turn affects the normal function of the vocal cords and leads to a change in the sound quality of the voice.
This can become a serious problem for those affected who also rely on their voice for work.
Taking medications that inhibit stomach acid production can also help relieve heartburn and associated hoarseness.
However, it is important to discuss individualized prevention and treatment strategies with a doctor to ensure appropriate care.
Observe hoarseness and have it clarified
Hoarseness as a symptom should not be ignored, especially if it occurs repeatedly.
Early diagnosis and appropriate measures are crucial to identify possible causes and initiate appropriate treatment.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.