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Acid Reflux & Sinus Infections

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, causes the acid in your stomach to leak into the esophagus. When the acid travels beyond the throat, it can cause many problems, including sinus infections.

  1. What is GERD?

    • Gastroesophageal reflux disease happens when a muscle at the end of your esophagus, which is a tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach, does not close all the way. This allows digestive acids from your stomach to flow up into the esophagus.

    Beyond the Esophagus

    • If the stomach acid travels beyond the esophagus and into the throat, it is called laryngopharyngeal reflux. In this case, the acid can travel into the nasal cavities as well.

    Symptoms of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

    • If the acid is traveling into the throat, the acid can cause a bitter taste, sore throat, cough, hoarseness, asthma and sleep apnea. Frequent sinus infections also can occur if the acid travels into the nasal cavity.

    Who Gets Laryngopharyngeal Reflux?

    • Men and women of all ages can have laryngopharyngeal reflux as well as GERD due to a structural abnormality of the esophagus. Infants and children often grow out of it, and you can make it worse by eating chocolate, spicy foods and citrus fruits.

    What to do About Laryngopharyngeal Reflux?

    • Changes in the diet and sleeping on an incline can improve the symptoms of acid reflux. Many medications such as acid reducers and antihistamines can help as well. Sometimes, patients are referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist if sinus symptoms don't improve.

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