Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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What is reflux?
Reflux happens when the valve at the top of the stomach relaxes or weakens. This allows the stomach contents, including acid and
digestive enzymes such as pepsin, to come up the oesophagus and sit in the throat.
This can cause indigestion and heartburn, which are the symptoms most often associated with reflux. However, reflux can also cause symptoms in the throat – this is known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) or ‘silent reflux’. People can experience LPR without any heartburn.
Symptoms of LPR include:
- Globus (a sensation of a lump or something stuck in the throat)
- Excessive mucous in the throat
- Post-nasal drip (mucous at the back of the nose)
- Recurrent throat clearing or coughing
- A sore throat, particularly in the mornings
- A hoarse voice
Symptoms are often worse after eating, and when lying down. This is because, when you lie flat, gravity is no longer acting on the contents of the stomach allowing it to flow up the oesophagus.
The following dietary and lifestyle advice can reduce or eliminate
symptoms of reflux. Doctors will tend to prescribe PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) for reflux, which reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. But, these drugs come with risks and side-effects, especially when used long term, and the latest research is showing other treatments are just as effective.
Strategies to manage reflux
These strategies are most effective when used consistently on a daily basis. They are particularly important around times when your vocal demand is increased.
- Eat early. Aim to have 3-4 hours between eating and going to bed. This includes snacks, milky drinks and alcohol.
- Avoid dietary triggers. These can be individual, but generally speaking caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, fizzy drinks, and fatty, high-calorie foods are consistent triggers of reflux. Pepsin is activated by acid. Pepsin ‘sticks’ to the lining of the throat and oesophagus, and can be reactivated when you have acidic foods or drinks, which can damage the tissue.
- Do not smoke. As well as numerous other health risks, smoking can exacerbate reflux.
- Reduce pressure on the stomach. Avoid tight clothing, and try to maintain a healthy weight.
- Tilt yourself in bed. This will help keep the contents of the stomach down whilst you sleep. You can tilt the whole bed with bricks under the head end, or use a foam wedge or ‘reflux pillow’. You need to tilt your whole torso, not just your head.
- Sleep on your left hand side. This keeps the stomach contents away from the valve
- Keep a regular meal pattern. This helps to maintain healthy digestion. Try not to let your stomach go empty for long periods.
- Avoid lying down, slouching or bending over from the waist after eating.
- Look after your physical and mental wellbeing. Stress and anxiety can exacerbate digestive issues.
- Use Gaviscon Advance. This is the most effective over the counter reflux medication. It floats on the top of the stomach contents, forming a ‘lid’ to physically stop reflux.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Speech and language therapy service.
About this information
Service:
Speech and language therapy
Reference:
VV/037
Approval date:
27 September 2024
Review date:
1 September 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.