Acid reflux and
mucus: is there a connection between the two?
In fact, acid reflux occurs when stomach acids
rise up to the esophagus. The most common
symptom of acid reflux is heartburn. But
some acid reflux patients often complain about the
kind of mucus that is produced by the body. It is
so sticky that they feel as if they have to reach
to the back of their throats to pull it out. This
sensation is usually caused by swelling of the
throat tissues together with this thick, dense,
sticky, and adhesive
mucus.
On the surface, acid reflux and
sinusitis may not seem related but there is recent
evidence that suggests there may be a connection
between acid reflux and sinus problems. Some
believe that the stomach acids make their way up
to the sinuses through the throat. Others
say that there may be a neurological connection
between the sinusitis and acid reflux. The body
responds by producing extra mucus to protect
itself from the harmful hydrochloric acid. The
mucus production is then stepped up in the sinuses
too, to prevent them from draining out. This
causes the sinuses to get clogged up thus
resulting in sinusitis.
Sinusitis is a condition that occurs
when the sinus cavities become infected causing
the bacteria and mucus to become trapped and the
sinuses to become inflamed. The cilia
usually clean out the mucus but when the walls of
the sinus cavities and the opening become
inflamed, this does not happen, resulting in
sinusitis.
Acid reflux frequently causes spells of
continuous cough due the irritation caused by the
stomach acid to the throat. In order to protect
the larynx from injury during these spells of
cough, a lot of mucus is generated along the
larynx and pharynx, which, over prolonged period
of time, is also believed to trigger
sinusitis.
Sinusitis can be treated in many
ways. Commonly, nasal sprays and nasal
strips are used but the particle sizes of the
nasal sprays are so large that they cannot fully
reach the sinus cavity and may only help the lower
nasal passage. Oral antibiotics may also be
prescribed. However, in the sinus cavity there are
very few blood cells, so the antibiotic cannot
really get rid of the infection entirely.
When acid reflux is present along with
sinusitis, it helps to treat the acid reflux
first, following which, the mucus clears by
itself. Making lifestyle changes, improving diet
habits, avoiding foods and medications that
trigger acid reflux, eating smaller meals more
frequently, chewing the food well, regularizing
sleep cycles, reducing weight, avoiding tight
clothes, not lying down immediately after a meal,
stress management through exercise, meditation,
sleeping with the head of the bed raised by 6 to 9
inches, natural herbs, etc. are some ways which
are effective in controlling
heartburn.
The holistic method of treatment would
incorporate all these and more changes into your
daily life not only to treat acid reflux
and clear the mucus but also to improve
your overall health. There are no side effects and
it is a long term treat without using any harmful
medications. Holistic treatment is the ideal
solution for acid reflux as it mitigates ALL the
internal imbalances in your body that trigger the
painful condition.
