Gut Health

Hi @igotz99problemz great question! Yes it is bad for acid reflux almost as much as it is impolite, although acid reflux can itself cause burping. If frequent burping is a problem you encounter, try eating slower, and avoid chewing gum, sucking on hard candies, and drinking carbonated drinks. If the problem persists or you develop pain or worsening reflux symptoms, you should see a GP or Gastroenterologist for further evaluation.

Hi @gerdboss great question! Asthma has many medications including several inhalers. Some of these inhalers work by relaxing smooth muscle, helping to alleviate asthmatic symptoms like wheeze by reducing bronchoconstriction. This can contribute to GERD through regular use in the long-term. However, if you find yourself needing to use these asthma relievers frequently, this means that your underlying asthma may need to be reviewed by a GP for consideration of asthma controllers, a different type of inhaler without this effect. However, I would add that acid reflux itself has many possible causes and can often be multifactorial, requiring the involvement of specialists to nail down the contributing causes. Contributing factors include obesity, tight clothing, and chronic alcohol consumption. If this is something you experience I would recommend seeing a GP to have a detailed discussion and examination for what could be the root cause to allay your concerns, as some patients may require tests for potential reversible causes of GERD to guide their management. Hope this helps!

Hi @gerdboss this is a great question. That is correct, studies have shown that a small proportion of patients with recurrent GERD causing certain changes in the lower throat can eventually develop cancer. You can speak to a gastroenterologist for detailed evaluation if you think this may be a concern.

Hi @gerdboss, great question! Heartburn is a burning sensation in the tummy accompanied by reflux of undigested food/sour fluid from the stomach. It has many possible causes and can often be multifactorial, requiring the involvement of specialists to nail down the contributing causes. Contributing factors include obesity, tight clothing, and chronic alcohol consumption. There are some over the counter (OTC) remedies for this symptom like Gaviscon, but if this is something you experience I would recommend seeing a GP to have a detailed discussion and examination for what could be the root cause and allay your concerns, as some patients may require tests for potential reversible causes of GERD to guide their management. Hope this helps! If you have any further questions or would like to have a detailed discussion about possible causes and what to do next, feel free to connect with me via the DoctorWorld application for a teleconsultation.