Silent reflux caused by food intolerance?

Posted , 8 users are following.

I've been suffering from silent reflux since before Christmas! It's hell. I tried the diet the doctor gave me (low fat and acid) and I didn't eat much and lost weight. At the same time I had always suffered with bloating and a lot of gas, very big boil like spots on my face and fatigue. I cut out gluten from my diet for two weeks and all my symptoms subsided except for the phlegm in my throat! Has anyone else had an experience like this? I still get the lump in my throat if I eat tomato based food and sweet corn which is odd

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    "Silent Reflux" (correctly termed "extra-oesophageal reflux") occurs when matter refluxed from the stomach into the oesophagus continues full column and breaches the upper oesophageal sphincter into the respiratory system.

    Changing your diet may have no affect on this. It can help reduce the acid which can make the refluxate less damaging but it won't reduce the mechanics.

    There should be no need to reduce gluten unless you have been found to be gluten intolerant. There is no need to reduce the acidity of your food - that's a myth. (See "Myths and Misconceptions" chapter of the www DownWithAcid org uk book. )

    Know your own particular triggers. we are all different and react to foods differently. Keep a food diary. Fatty foods are likely to be a problem since they reside in the stomach longer and don not neutralise stomach acid. Many find tomato based foods a trigger.

    Read about Extra-Oesophageal reflux in the Down With Acid book and about management of reflux.

    • Posted

      Hi Barretts,

      So you are saying their is no need to eliminate Orange juice from our diet?  As you probably know  I have reflux on my esophagus and throat (mild) plus Gastritis and apparently that is causing chest heaviness/pain  (brest-bone) no heartburn, and heavy breathing that goes all the way up to my sinus sometimes. So I don't have a warning what food is affecting me because I have this disconfort all day long and is progresive, starts mild and end moderate until I go to sleep again or lay back. I can eat something easy and small or a pizza and I will feel the same after I eat.  Actually, sometimes I feel better after I eat pizza.  Sure, a small portion. ;-)  I'm asking this because I love Orange juice and I stop drinking it 1 1/2 years ago.

    • Posted

      Orange juice does not affect many people. Try it and see if it affects you. If it does, stop taking it again.
    • Posted

      Hi Barretts. So how do we get rid of this issue if food isn't the cure? I have been keeping a food diary and I just don't eat anything that gives me lump in the throat or a sore throat. As for gluten I know I'm intolerant anyway but I'm still going to eat stuff with it in once in a while
    • Posted

      Reflux is a mechanical operation rather than a chemical one.

      You need to try and reduce the reflux. See the section on Reflux in the Down With Acid book.

  • Posted

    Hi Relly1994! Stop eating tomatoes and using ketchup and sweet corn, then! The mucus in your throat may well be caused by milk and milk products, so stay off it and see if it helps. That, I'm sorry, includes milk chocolate! I've said that before, on these discussions, and also try making an infusion of thistle roots top reduce the amount of mucus you make, which I've also said before. That piece of advice came from the great David Bellamy in his programmes many years ago, Bellamy on Botany, so I claim no credit for it. It worked well for me, so I'm just passing it on. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Best wishes, Chris

     

    • Posted

      Yes I stopped eating them as soon as I knew they were an issue! As for milk I've tried to take my intake down but it's so hard!
    • Posted

      Hi again Relly and thanks for the reply. I have tried goats' milk, semi skimmed, with no after-effects. Well, that's not strictly true. When I had some really bad skin problems with the soles of my feet turning into hard platelets over an inch across, I was advized to drink goats' milk. The skin problem cleared up in days and has never come back!
  • Posted

    digestive advantage for tummy works for acid when you have attack and take mastika to keep everything calm take 2 morning 2 evening before bed on empty tummy for 2 weeks then just 1 at bed time cut out soya gluten and dairy for 1 month this will help with phlegh this all works for me i drink fice milk hope this helps good luck x
  • Posted

    Hi no but last but 3 weeks ago I was going to cut gluten out but blood tests came back negative. It's reassuring to hear this as certain foods seemed to exsasarbate my symtoms and I had it pinned to wheat or milk. I yoyo on weight too and had real bad reflux and pressure yesterday and today. (Hope it goes) the only reason I didn't want to try gluten free is I haven't seen a dietician and haven't got any spare weight to lose lol. NHS sucks seeing my dock in 2 weeks and I'm gonna push for a dietician first. As she's really helping me but think they will want to put camera down my throat lol. I did think barley was a major player
    • Posted

      Yes I don't think it's caused by wheat but when I have it I get an almost instant lump in my throat and ore tongue which feels swollen but doesn't look it. Yes I'm also going to push for a dietician. 

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