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What Are Symptoms Of Silent Reflux?

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Posted on Mon, 5 Jan 2015
Question: what are symptoms of silent reflux? acid reflux? GERD?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
dry cough, sore throat

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Typically reflux would present with burning in the chest and upper abdomen, bloating, regurgitation of food, acid or bitter taste in the mouth.

In persons with silent reflux, sometimes the only symptoms may be a persistent cough or sore throat.
GERD is actually one of the most common causes of chronic cough.
Vague abdominal discomfort may also be present.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (6 minutes later)
treatment?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
lifestyle changes and medication

Detailed Answer:
HI

Silent reflux is treated the same as reflux that is associated with more overt symptoms.

Treatment includes: (1)lifestyle changes and (2) medication

The lifestyle changes are: (1) use small frequent meals rather than large meals that are associated with more acid production
(2)wait 2 hours after eating before reclining
(3)elevate the head of the bed
(4)weight loss of any excess weight that may be compression on the stomach and esophagus
(5)diet changes- reduce or eliminate citrus fruits, spicy foods, fried/fatty foods

Caffeine, chocolate, onions, tomato, mint are also included

Medications: (1)proton pump inhibitors such as protonix, prevacid, prilosec, nexium
(2)h2 antagonist such as pepcid or zantac

Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
my symptoms are : dry cough. shortness of breath. tickle in throat. post nasal drip. indigestion while sleeping. watering mouth nausea at night sometime causes me to throw up. sometimes cough causes vomiting in daytime. I am 37 and 100+ lbs overweight.

dr started me on omeprazole for reflux I think. I just had and getting over an upper respiratory tract infection and took augmention and just finished.

what are your suggestions?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
continue omeprazole, ,lifestyle changes, treat postnasal drip

Detailed Answer:
HI

The omeprazole is for reflux , it is one of the proton pump inhibitors mentioned (also known as prilosec).
It should be continued.

The lifestyle changes mentioned above should also be initiated if possible.

You should also consider treating the post nasal drip as well. Post nasal drip is also a cause of persistent coughing.
It can be treated with a topical steroid nasal spray (eg nasonex, nasocort, rhinocort, flonase) and also avoiding any known allergens that are provoking the drip.

feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (6 hours later)
how about shortness of breath and sore throat/tonsil?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes sore throat can occur

Detailed Answer:
HI

Yes, had mentioned that sore throat was one of the possible symptoms that can be found.

Shortness of breath is not normally an associated symptom however. This may be due to another cause.

If anything else is unclear, please feel free to ask
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Are Symptoms Of Silent Reflux?

Brief Answer: dry cough, sore throat Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Typically reflux would present with burning in the chest and upper abdomen, bloating, regurgitation of food, acid or bitter taste in the mouth. In persons with silent reflux, sometimes the only symptoms may be a persistent cough or sore throat. GERD is actually one of the most common causes of chronic cough. Vague abdominal discomfort may also be present. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions