Acid reflux can cause numerous problems in the throat, including ulcers. As the acid comes up from the stomach, it irritates the tissue lining in the esophagus and all the way up to the throat, affecting even the vocal cords. The acid is corrosive and can cause inflammation and tissue damage. According to "Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery," by Byron Bailey, the ulcers can be painful and can cause a sore throat as well as coughing and hoarseness.
Step 1
Exclude items from the diet that increase acid production, such as caffeine, alcohol and chocolate.
Step 2
Limit late-night meals. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with reflux disease should not eat after 6 p.m. If a person eats just before lying down in bed, digestive acids in the stomach can easily travel up the esophagus to the throat and cause or irritate ulcers.
Step 3
Take a proton pump inhibitor. Proton pump inhibitors, such as lansoprazole, sold as Prevacid, esomeprazole, sold as Nexium, and omeprazole, sold as Prilosec, are effective medications against acid reflux, according to Drugs.com. Omeprazole prevents acid production and prevents acid irritation to the throat, which helps heal the throat ulcers.
Step 4
Take ranitidine, a medication in the drug group called H2 blockers. Drugs in that group prevent stomach acid production. Taking ranitidine decreases that amount of stomach acid in the throat, decreases throat irritation and helps heal the throat ulcers caused by acid reflux.
Things You'll Need
- Anti reflux medications
References
- "Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery"; Byron Bailey; 2006
- Mayo Clinic: GERD
- Drugs.com: Prilosec
- Drugs.com: Ranitidine
