Can Acid Reflux Give you Diarrhea and Vomiting?

Acid reflux refers to the condition, when liquid contents present in the stomach of human beings refluxes or regurgitates within the esophagus. This liquid may inflame or cause damage to the lining/esophagitis even though there are only visible signs in a few of the patients. The regurgitated liquid contains pepsin and acid produced by the human stomach.

Here, pepsin constitutes an enzyme to digest the protein component present in the human stomach, while the acid or reflux liquid contains bile to back-up in the stomach via duodenum. The main thing to worry about the acid reflux problem is that it leads to a wide range of symptoms in human beings.

In this article, you will get details about two common symptoms, which usually take place from acid reflux i.e. diarrhea and vomiting.

1. Connection of Acid Reflux with IBS and Diarrhea

   IBS i.e. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a type of functional disorder. In this condition, you will find real symptoms, but fail to identify any physiological cause. IBS and diarrhea accompany the chronic type of acid reflux.

   One cause of the problem of diarrhea is poor function of the muscles present in one’s intestinal tract. A few experts have suspected the muscular incoordination lining the intestines, stomach and the esophagus, all of which contributed to the symptoms of acid reflux and IBS as well as diarrhea.

   Especially, when you are suffering from the problem of IBS because of acid reflux, the colon becomes relatively more sensitive and thereby, reacts to different things, like bacteria, specific type of food items and your level of stress.

   Furthermore, the human brain may respond excessively to signals responsible for controlling your colon. This results in squeezing of intestines too hard and leading to too fast movement of food items from the digestive system. In this way, acid reflux leads to the problem of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and IBS causes diarrhea and gas.

2. Connection of Acid Reflux with Nausea and Vomiting

   Acid reflux takes place whenever the LES i.e. Lower Esophageal Sphincter or a muscular ring separating the human stomach and its esophagus fails to close tightly once the person ingested any fluid or food item.

   Poor function of the LES causes flowing back of the food particles and stomach acids back towards the esophagus into the throat of a patient. Other than poor functioning of the LES, acid reflux gives a sour taste to the mouth because of stomach acids. This taste combined with frequent coughing and burping results in vomiting and nausea in humans.

   Here, nausea involves the uneasiness of one’s stomach that urges to vomit, while vomiting implies the forcible involuntary or voluntary emptying of food/fluid contents present in the stomach via the mouth. In this way, acid reflux results in both nausea and vomiting problems in humans.

Clearly, based on the aforementioned facts about different problems, including vomiting and diarrhea, it has become clear that in order to prevent the mentioned health issues, it is very much essential to take steps to avoid the problem of acid reflux. For this, one has to avoid following food and beverages.

• Alcohols and alcoholic beverages
• Chocolates and cadburys
• Carbonated beverages
• Caffeinated beverages
• Fatty, greasy and fried food items
• Citrus foods and fruits
• Onions and garlic
• Spicy food items
• Junk foods, like pizza, hot dogs and burgers
• Tomato-based items, like spaghetti sauces
• Specific type of sugary components, such as lactose, and corn syrup comprised of fructose in higher amounts.
• Xylitol and Sorbitol, along with other types of sugary alcohols.

Also Read:

• Causes of Diarrhea after Eating Spicy Food & Ways to Prevent it
• How Long Does Acid Reflux Last & What are its Effects?
• Signs and Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease
• Can Indigestion Give You Diarrhea?