The vast majority of people currently experiencing reflux, don't realize they've got reflux (and that's saying something, because global sales of acid reflux medication top $13 billion dollars per year).
Instead, these people *think* they're dealing with:
- asthma
- chronic coughs and colds
- nasal drip
- hayfever
- excessive throat-clearing
- bad breath
- sore throats
- hoarse throat
- dental decay
But actually...
They're dealing with silent reflux.
What's silent reflux, and why's it different to normal reflux, you may be wondering?
Silent reflux is the same thing, but it is not accompanied by the tell-tale burning sensation.
Underlying this, is often (but not always) low stomach acid production.
Yes, I said low stomach acid.
You see the sphincters (like little gates) at the top and bottom of the stomach, that open and close to allow food to pass through, are pH dependant. They open and close based on pH level.
As you probably know, a normal stomach environment is highly acidic (a pH level between 1 and 3).
When this highly acidic pH is reached, the sphincter between our oesophagus and stomach gets the signal to close. This prevents the contents of the stomach from travelling back up the oesophagus.
But if someone is producing sub-optimal stomach acid, and the lowest pH they can achieve is a 4.5. It's still acidic - acidic enough to irritate the mucus membranes of the throat and respiratory system - but not acidic enough to signal the sphincter to fully close.
Let's imagine this scenario.
Bob - let's call him Bob - has been taking acid reflux medication for heartburn. What Bob doesn't know is that these medications were originally approved for short-term use (4 weeks, and no more than two treatment cycles per year). Bob has been on these medications for years.
Bob has a lovely dinner with his wife, and than falls asleep on the sofa, watching TV. Because he's on acid suppressants, the best his stomach can do, is a pH of 5. The steak he ate for dinner cannot be broken down properly, and the upper oesophageal sphincter doesn't close when it's supposed to. Bob's got a bit of a belly, too, so that's also causing pressure on the abdomen, and now he's laying down and doesn't even have gravity to work in his favour.
So, the gastric juices from the stomach start making their way back up the oesopahgus and throat.
Bob begins to snore, and after a while, wakes up coughing and desperately trying to clear his throat.
The gastric juices are not acidic enough to break down his steak (which sits uncomfortably for hours in his stomach) or signal the sphincter to close...but still acidic enough to irritate his throat and cause his body to produce mucus, in an attempt to protect the mucus membranes.
Bob has managed to suppress the burning sensation of acid reflux, but he hasn't managed to fix the problem.
He's still got a problem!
And when he wakes up in the morning, he will have another problem when he tries to kiss his wife good morning, but his bad breath drives her away.
So, what can Bob do about this?
For starters:
- Talk to his doctor about reducing or stopping the acid reflux medication.
- Commit to losing the belly fat (healthy eating and more movement)
- Eat slowly and chew thoroughly
- Address nutrient deficiencies - especially magnesium, zinc or potassium
- Avoid eating large meals before bed
- Limit alcohol and caffeine