My stomach is upset and my throat is blocked

Stomach discomfort is a symptom suffered by many people. If you also have a blocked throat while suffering from stomach discomfort, it is very likely caused by a common stomach disease such as gastroesophageal reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux can cause great discomfort to patients. In order to avoid it affecting their daily lives, timely treatment is required. Below we will introduce to you the treatment methods for gastroesophageal reflux.

1. General treatment

Lifestyle changes are the basis of treatment. Raising the head of the bed by 15 to 20 centimeters is a simple and effective method. This can use gravity to enhance acid clearance during sleep and reduce nocturnal reflux. Foods such as fat, chocolate, tea, and coffee can reduce LES pressure and should be restricted appropriately. People with gastroesophageal reflux should quit smoking and drinking. Avoiding a large meal within 3 hours before bedtime can also reduce nocturnal reflux. Symptoms of 25% of patients can be improved after changing the above lifestyle habits.

2. Medication

(1) H2 receptor blockers H2 receptor blockers are currently the main drugs for the clinical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux. This type of drug competes with histamine for the H2 receptors on the gastric parietal cells and binds to them, inhibiting the acid secretion of the parietal cells stimulated by histamine, reducing gastric acid secretion, thereby reducing the damaging effects of reflux fluid on the esophageal mucosa, alleviating symptoms and promoting the healing of damaged esophageal mucosa.

(2) Proton pump inhibitors Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) inhibit the proton pump in gastric parietal cells through non-competitive and irreversible antagonism, producing a stronger and more lasting acid-suppressing effect than H2 receptor blockers. Currently, the commonly used drugs of this type in clinical practice are omeprazole, lansoprazole and dotoprazole.

(3) Prokinetic drugs Gastroesophageal reflux is a motility disorder that often involves abnormal esophageal and gastric motility. When H2RAS and PPI treatments are ineffective, prokinetic drugs can be used. The efficacy of prokinetic drugs in treating GERS is similar to that of H2RAS, but the effect is significantly better than acid suppressants for patients with motility disorders such as abdominal distension and belching. For example, metoclopramide, domperidone, cisapride, levosulpride, erythromycin, etc.

(4) Mucosal protective agents: Sucralfate is a local acting preparation. The efficacy of taking sucralfate in controlling gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and healing esophagitis is similar to that of standard doses of H2RAS. However, some scholars believe that sucralfate is ineffective for gastroesophageal reflux.

(5) Other drugs: TLESR is now considered to be the main pathophysiological basis of reflux. Many researchers are working to find drugs that can reduce TLESR for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux. Among them, atropine and morphine were the earliest drugs targeting TLESR. Baclofen is expected to be an effective drug for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux.

3. Surgical treatment