Digestive Health Heartburn GERD Remedies and Habits That Ease Sore Throat from Acid Reflux By Michelle Pugle Michelle Pugle Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Michelle Pugle is an expert health writer with nearly a decade of experience contributing accurate and accessible health information to authority publications. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 24, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Jay Yepuri, MD, MS, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and a practicing partner at Digestive Health Associates of Texas (DHAT). Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Acid reflux occurs when your stomach contents, mostly digestive juices, backflow into your esophagus and mouth. Having acid reflux on occasion is nothing to worry about, especially if you’ve just a had a large meal. However, if you have acid reflux two or more times per week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and you should talk to your healthcare proivider. Acid reflux can also be a symptom of other health conditions. They are usually conditions that put pressure on, loosen, or weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) valve, the muscular ring connecting the esophagus with the stomach. The LES normally prevents food from moving out of the stomach and back up into the esophagus. Doucefleur / Getty Images Why Acid Reflux Hurts Your Throat When someone has GERD, the LES becomes weak or fails to close tightly, causing food and stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus. The lining of the esophagus can become inflamed or irritated from these acids, which can cause a burning chest pain and sometimes a sour taste or cough. Sore throat is often one of the symptoms of GERD. Short-term sore throat from acid reflux is caused by the digestive fluids burning your tissues. Long-term sore throat can indicate GERD with coughing, which adds to the inflammation, swelling, and throat pain. Effects of Acid Reflux You can’t ignore chronic acid reflux, hoping it will go away. If nothing else, the fluid or feeling in the back of your mouth will make you want to swallow, and it will burn going back down. It will only get worse until you do something. If you have GERD complications, other serious health problems including respiratory diseases, or conditions that could be masked by GERD symptoms, the best thing you can do is talk to your healthcare provider. Serious complications of GERD can include: Esophagus erosion: Esophagus tissue lining is worn away by acid, so sores (ulcers) may develop. Barrett’s esophagus: This refers to damage to the lower portion of the esophagus. It’s usually a result of repeat exposure to stomach acid. The esophagus lining starts to resemble an intestine lining. Esophageal cancer: The risk of esophageal cancer seems to be higher in people who have more frequent symptoms. Acid Reflux Sore Throat Remedies When you have the occasional acid reflux episode, sore throat remedies can help. However, the most relief you will get is by addressing the underlying cause of your chronic acid reflux. Some lifestyle changes may also be able to help. Once you begin treatment for your condition, you’ll notice you won’t need to manage symptoms as much. When to See a Healthcare Provider Contact your practitioner if you have any of the following symptoms:Chest painAppetite lossPersistent vomitingProblems or pain while swallowingSigns of bleeding in the digestive tract, such as vomit that contains blood or looks like coffee grounds, and stools that contain blood or look black and tarryUnexplained weight loss Lifestyle Changes One of many studies found that quitting smoking improved not only people’s acid reflux episodes, but their overall quality of life scores as well. Some foods are GERD triggers and should be avoided to prevent reaction, including: Spicy, minty, fatty foodsAcidic fruits and fruit juices, such as citrus and tomatoesCoffee, chocolate, and other sources of caffeineCarbonated beverages, such as soda, kombucha, and tonic waterAlcoholic drinksEating within three hours of bedtime 12 Easy Ways to Rid Yourself of Acid Reflux OTC Medications You can get over-the-counter antacids, such as Tums and Rolaids, to help neutralize your stomach acids and reduce acid reflux symptoms. They are convenient when you’re at a dinner event and start to feel heartburn. They are not for everyday use, though. There’s growing concern about how often we’re choosing to suppress our stomach acid to prevent acid reflux. Research says around 30% of people using acid suppressors like antacids still have symptoms. Some researchers aren’t sold on the idea of suppressing acid production as a way of fighting acid reflux, calling it counterintuitive. Other OTC medications include: H2 receptor blockers: H2 blockers lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. H2 blockers can help heal the esophagus, but not as well as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can. You can buy H2 blockers over the counter, or your healthcare provider can prescribe one.Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): PPIs lower the amount of acid your stomach makes. PPIs are better at treating GERD symptoms than H2 blockers, and they can heal the esophageal lining in most people with GERD. You can buy PPIs over the counter, or your healthcare provider can prescribe one. Healthcare providers may prescribe PPIs for long-term GERD treatment. Sore Throat Remedies If acid reflux is hurting your throat, you can:Drink a warm beverageGargle with salt water to alleviate inflammation and irritationAdd honey to a warm beverageSuck on lozenges or a popsicle Prescription Medications Symptoms of acid reflux from GERD are usually manageable, but if you have not found relief with OTC options or lifestyle changes, you can talk to a healthcare provider about prescription-strength options (prescription medications). It may be the case that you only need prescription medications to help with symptom management until you can change lifestyle factors enough to not need the medication anymore. This may not be the case for everybody. Talk to your practitioner to see what’s right for you. Your healthcare provider may prescribe the following medications: Lioresal (baclofen): Reduces the relaxation of the LES which allows acid backwashProkinetics: Strengthens the LES and helps stomach empty faster Summary The best way to cope with the sore throat caused by acid reflux is to identify and manage the cause of your acid reflux. In the meantime, you can drink warm beverages, gargle with salt water, and suck on lozenges or a popsicle to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms. A Word From Verywell If you’re experiencing a sore throat from acid reflux, it may be time to talk to your healthcare provider. If you have not tried lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and avoiding irritating foods, you can start there, one choice at a time. It’s not easy, but even reducing smoking by a single cigarette or alcohol consumption by a single drink a day can make a difference. The longer you can work on your goals, the better equipped you are to prevent serious complications such as esophagus erosion and cancer. Your healthcare provider may talk to you about other factors, including weight, sleeping habits, and your diet. If your acid reflux is severe, you can take OTC and even prescription medications to help with the symptoms and minimize the occurrence of acid reflux. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American College of Gastroenterology. What is GERD? Cleveland Clinic. Laparoscopic antireflux surgery. American Cancer Society. Esophageal cancer risk factors. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of GER & GERD. Kohata Y, Fujiwara Y, Watanabe T, et al. Long-term benefits of smoking cessation on gastroesophageal reflux disease and health-related quality of life. PLOS ONE. 2016;11(2):e0147860. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0147860 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. How is gastroesophageal reflux disease treated? Clarke JO, Fernandez-Becker NQ, Regalia KA, Triadafilopoulos G. Baclofen and gastroesophageal reflux disease: seeing the forest through the trees. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2018;9(3):137. doi:10.1038/s41424-018-0010-y Cleveland Clinic. Sore throat remedies that actually work. Additional Reading Emerenziani S, Rescio MP, Guarino MP, Cicala M. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease and obesity, where is the link? 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