How to manage throat pain while swallowing effectively?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

The most common reason for having these symptoms can definitely be a feature of chronic silent GERD with LPR (gastroesophageal reflux disease with laryngopharyngeal reflux).

Even though you might be asymptomatic or have never had gastric issues in between, the inflammation in the throat often exists in a hidden form and can resurface when adequate care is not taken.

Why does hidden acid reflux become so problematic?

As you know, the stomach usually has cells that release hydrochloric acid and thus keep the gastric environment acidic in nature. Your entire mucosal lining, from the mouth, throat, and food pipe (oesophagus), is not meant to handle anything acidic. Of the three structures, the throat is the most sensitive due to its rich nerve supply. If, in a given situation, your mouth, throat, or food pipe chronically comes in contact with acidic contents, an inflammation starts, which the body initially takes care of. But once this compensation wears off, you start developing symptoms like the ones you have mentioned.

I would suggest the following:

1. Maintain a strict diet and eat on time.

2. Avoid spicy, oily, and cold food/drinks.

3. Keep a gap of 2 hours between meals and going to bed.

4. Do not overeat. Rather, keep your stomach half empty and have regular intermittent light food like fresh-cut fruits in between major meals.

5. Salt water gargling 8 to 10 times a day for 15 days.

6. Avoid alcohol and smoking, as they can potentiate reflux.

7. Try to maintain a left lateral position while sleeping to reduce the chance of reflux.

I would suggest the following treatment plan:

1. Tablet PAN-D 40 milligram (Pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, and Domperidone, a prokinetic agent), once in the morning before breakfast for 1 month.

2. Syrup Mucaine gel (Oxetacaine and Aluminium Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide, antacid and Mucosal protective agent), one teaspoon three times a day, 20 minutes before meals for 1 month.

Make sure you follow the precautionary measures as much as possible, as mere medications will not give long-term relief. Please understand that this typically takes four to six weeks for things to normalize and for symptoms to subside, and this chiefly depends on how much you are able to follow the precautions mentioned above, as 80 percent of the treatment lies there.

There is absolutely nothing that you need to worry about, as this is a treatable entity, and things will be fine.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.