In the clinic, I often hear patients say their throat feels tight as if something is stuck, and that they keep coughing even though they do not have a common cold. During seasonal changes or on days with a lot of fine dust, it is easy to think of this as a respiratory system issue. However, if heartburn, sour regurgitation, or bloating are also present, we should check whether reflux coming up from the stomach is irritating the throat.
The Larynx Is Sensitive To Acid Irritation
Reflux laryngitis refers to discomfort that occurs when stomach contents and stomach acid rise beyond the esophagus to the laryngeal area of the throat. The stomach lining is structured to withstand acid, but the laryngeal lining is not, so repeated irritation can lead to cough, a foreign-body sensation, hoarseness, and a feeling of phlegm in the throat.
Reflux can be present even if a burning sensation in the chest or sour fluid coming up is not obvious. In particular, if throat symptoms worsen when lying down, after meals, or after drinking coffee or alcohol, it is helpful to check digestive system causes as well.
Throat Clearing And Dry Coughing Can Also Be Clues
Because the throat does not feel clear, some people develop a habit of frequent dry coughing or throat clearing. In adolescents, when this pattern repeats, it can be easy to see it only as a habit or a tension response, but in some cases, irritation of the throat lining may be the underlying factor.
Of course, rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, postnasal drip, and vocal cord use habits can also cause similar symptoms. Therefore, the longer symptoms continue, the more important it is to review accompanying symptoms and lifestyle patterns together, rather than looking only at the throat or only at the stomach.
In Korean Medicine, We Also Look At Stomach Motility
Reflux is not only a matter of how much acid is present. It is also related to the stomach’s ability to move food downward, pressure inside the stomach, and the function of the esophageal sphincter. When stomach motility decreases and food stays in the stomach for a long time, bloating can occur, and as pressure increases, stomach contents can be more likely to be pushed upward.
During care, I check whether the digestive system is constitutionally weak, whether meals are irregular, whether late-night meals, greasy foods, spicy foods, caffeine, or alcohol are frequent, and how stress affects digestion. Depending on the constitution and symptoms, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion may be considered, while we advise patients not to stop any acid-suppressing medication or other medications they are currently taking on their own.
Lifestyle Management Is One Part Of Treatment
- Do not lie down right after meals; keep your upper body upright for at least 2~3 hours.
- Reduce late-night eating, overeating, and eating in a hurry, and keep meal times regular.
- Adjust coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks, greasy foods, and strong seasonings while observing how they relate to your symptoms.
- Frequent throat clearing can increase laryngeal irritation, so try replacing it with sipping small amounts of water.
- It is generally better to avoid clothing that tightens the abdomen or intense exercise right after meals.
When We Recommend A Consultation
If cough and a lump-in-the-throat feeling continue for more than 2~3 weeks, or if you have hoarseness, discomfort when swallowing, or repeated sour reflux, we recommend that you seek care. If unexplained weight loss, bloody phlegm or vomiting, severe chest pain, or shortness of breath occur together, you should first seek help without delay from the emergency room or 119.
Reflux laryngitis may feel like a throat problem, but in many cases, daily rhythm and stomach function are intertwined. Rather than stopping at suppressing symptoms, calmly looking at why they keep recurring can help find a direction in which both the throat and the stomach become more comfortable.