Water brash is a condition that causes you to produce excess saliva. This can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing, not to mention inconvenient. This blog post will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments of water brash. We will also provide some tips on preventing it from happening in the first place.
What is water brash?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD) is a condition where stomach acids flow back up through the esophagus and into the throat. It causes symptoms including water brash, which is a symptom of GERD. Treatment for water brash usually involves lifestyle changes, such as avoiding trigger foods and drinks and elevation of the head during sleep. If these measures don’t improve the symptoms, medication may be necessary.
What are the symptoms of water brash?
The most common symptoms of water brash are heartburn, chest pain, nausea, and vomiting. You may also experience bloating, belching, and a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount of food.
Complications of water brash
Water brash is a condition where intense nausea and vomiting inhibit normal stomach acid production. It can happen due to various reasons, including but not limited to the following:
Bile reflux
This involves the backflow of bile acids from the small intestine into the stomach. This can lead to water brash and other symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and heartburn.
Erosive gastritis
This type of inflammation of the stomach lining can be caused by different factors, such as infection (Helicobacter pylori), certain medications (NSAIDs), or autoimmune diseases. This can lead to water brash and other symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Gastroenteritis
This is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. Certain medications or food allergies can also cause it. This can lead to water brash and other symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.
Pancreatitis
This is an inflammation of the pancreas that can be caused by alcohol abuse, certain medications (such as steroids), or infections (such as mumps). It can also be idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown. This can lead to water brash and other symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Ulcers
These open sores can form in the stomach lining or small intestine. They can be caused by infection (Helicobacter pylori), certain medications (NSAIDs), stress, or smoking. This can lead to water brash and other symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Causes of water brash
The regurgitation of gastric acid causes water to brash into the throat. This can be due to several different factors, including but not limited to the following:
GERD: This is a condition where the stomach contents come back up into the esophagus. It can be caused by a malfunctioning valve between the stomach and esophagus, or it can be due to obesity, pregnancy, or certain medications (such as antacids, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and proton pump inhibitors).
Hiatal Hernia is a condition where part of the stomach protrudes through an opening in the diaphragm. It can be caused by obesity, pregnancy, or certain medical conditions (such as GERD).
Esophageal Spasm: This is a condition where the muscles of the esophagus contract involuntarily. It can be caused by certain medications (such as nitrates), anxiety, or stress.
Eating too Much: This can lead to indigestion and regurgitation of stomach acid into the throat.
Drinking too Much Alcohol: This can lead to irritation of the stomach lining and increased gastric acid production.
Smoking: This can lead to irritation of the stomach lining and increased gastric acid production.
Certain Foods and Drinks: These include caffeine, chocolate, fatty foods, spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, mints, and vinegar.
Certain Medications: These include anticholinergics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and proton pump inhibitors.
Pregnancy: This can lead to GERD due to the increased pressure on the stomach from the growing uterus.
How to stop Acid Reflux at Home
Without Medication
Drink Aloe Syrup
Aloe is a natural soothing agent that can help to calm the digestive system. Aloe syrup is easily available at health food stores. Simply take two tablespoons of aloe syrup before each meal.
Chewing Gum
Chewing gum after meals can help to reduce acid reflux by stimulating saliva production and promoting swallowing. In addition, this action helps to clear away any acid that has refluxed into the esophagus.
Elevate Your Head While Sleeping
Gravity can help to keep stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus. Try elevating your head while sleeping by placing pillows under your head and shoulders or using a wedge-shaped pillow under your mattress.
Sleep on Your Left Side
Sleeping on your left side can also help to reduce acid reflux. This position puts gravity to work in your favor, making it less likely for stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus.
With Medication
You may need medication if you have tried lifestyle changes and home remedies but are still experiencing water brash. There are a few different types of medications that can be used to treat water brash:
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
These drugs work by reducing stomach acid production. They are available over the counter or by prescription. Examples include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and pantoprazole (Protonix).
H-receptor antagonists
These drugs block histamine, a substance that stimulates stomach acid production. They are available over the counter or by prescription. Examples of medications used for ulcers include Tagamet, Zocor, and Tums.
Antacids
These drugs work by neutralizing stomach acid. They are available over the counter or by prescription. Examples include calcium carbonate (Tums), aluminum hydroxide (Gaviscon), and magnesium hydroxide (Maalox).
How can water brash be prevented?
There are a few things you can do to help prevent water brash. First, avoid eating or drinking anything acidic, spicy, or very hot, and eating small meals more often rather than large meals can also help. Chewing gum and sucking on hard candy can also help stimulate saliva production and keep your mouth from feeling too dry.
Finally, if you smoke, quitting can help alleviate water-brash symptoms. If you experience symptoms despite following these prevention tips, see your doctor for professional treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. Is water brash serious?
While water brash is not a serious condition per se, it can cause heartburn and other uncomfortable symptoms. In severe cases, it may even require medical treatment. Therefore, if you are experiencing water brash, it’s best to consult your doctor to find a treatment plan that works for you.
2. Does the water brash go away?
You could get rid of acid brash by making lifestyle changes. Acid brash is caused by stomach acids reaching the back of your throat. It can be treated with lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and reducing stress.
3. What causes water to be brash at night?
Water brash at night is often caused by stomach contents rising into the esophagus. This is usually due to a build-up of acid in the stomach, which can be caused by several things, such as anxiety or eating spicy food.
4. When should I see a doctor for water brash?
If the symptoms are severe or last longer than two weeks, it is important to see a doctor so that they can rule out other conditions that may be causing the problem. Early diagnosis and treatment of water brash can help prevent serious complications.
5. Does omeprazole help water brash?
Yes, omeprazole does help reduce water brash. Water brash is a condition characterized by excessive saliva production and usually results in the frequent and urgent need to spit out the saliva. This condition can be quite bothersome and embarrassing.
Conclusion
We hope that now you know about various causes and symptoms of water brash. However, remember that often, it’s just because of bad hygiene and diet. So always pay attention to your body’s indications when you experience one. Also, ensure you are hygienic and keep eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, etc.
If it persists for too long or you also experience uncomfortable symptoms, such as acute stomach pain or constipation, then consult your doctor immediately.
