What is the the relationship between GERD and sinusitis?

Sometimes, the symptoms of GERD can mimic some of the symptoms of sinusitis. The sensation of post nasal draining and the need to clear your throat constantly may be due to post nasal drip — but may also be due to GERD. The sinus specialist may therefore examine you in the office to see if there is physical evidence of GERD. Learn more about our ENT and sinus Specialist here.

When Acid reflux symptoms occur, they can sometimes actually contribute to sinusitis! That is to say, the acid can travel all the way up to your nose and sinuses (for instance, while you are lying down asleep), and this acid can inflame the nose and irritate the lining. This problem is more common in children — but it may also be seen in adults.

What causes GERD?

There is a one-way valve near the top of the stomach, this is because ideally, things should go from the esophagus into the stomach and not the other way around. Stomach acid can escape through a weakened valve and travel up the esophagus — even up to the voice box and throat — and produce the symptoms listed above.

How do you diagnose GERD?

Heartburn is easily recognized by the family doctor. However, some of the symptoms relating to the throat and voice box should be evaluated by a specialist. The specialist will then perform a complete examination including taking a look at the voice box with a small endoscope placed through the nose. If you have GERD, your sinus specialist may ask you to also see a gastroenterologist.

Are there any diagnostic tests?

A gastroenterologist may decide to order some additional tests to evaluate your GERD. A Barium swallow is a series of x-ray films that monitor dye as it travels through the stomach. A PH monitoring test is a 24-hour test to record the acid flow back into the esophagus and even the throat. A small flexible tube is placed in the stomach through the nose and is connected to a small computer to record 24-hour acid reflux. Endoscopy is sometimes performed to evaluate the esophagus for damage from acid burns and to examine the stomach for irritation and ulceration.

How is GERD managed?

Get permanent relief from GERD with lifestyle and dietary changes, with medical treatment, and at times surgical procedure.

Tell me about life style and dietary changes

Don’t drink alcohol, and don’t smoke. Both nicotine and alcohol irritate the stomach and increase acid production. Also,

• Avoid clothing that is tight around the waist — corsets, belts.
• Avoid bending over.
• Lose weight.

Raise your head when lying down. This is best achieved NOT with pillows, but by raising the head of the bed by 6 to 8 inches. This can be done by sliding blocks under the legs at the head of the bed or a wedge under the head of the mattress.

Tell me about dietary modifications

You may wish to avoid coffee and tea, carbonated beverages, alcohol, fatty fried foods, spicy food, citrus fruits and juices, tomato juice, orange juice, and grapefruit juice, tomatoes, onions, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, cheeses, and eggs.

Avoid large meals, especially in the evenings. Do not lie down right after eating. Allow three to four hours after supper and lying down. Make the mid day meal the heavier meal of the day and eat small, well-balanced meals.

Tell me about medical treatment for GERD

Medical treatment is based on neutralizing stomach acid, reducing or eliminating stomach acid and improving gastric emptying. Neutralizing stomach acid can be achieved by using over-the-counter antacids in liquid or tablet form such as Sucralfate suspension, Maalox, and Ryopan. Reducing or eliminating stomach acids can be achieved with H-2 blockers, which are drugs that depress acid production, such as Cimetadine (Tagamet), Ranitidine (Zantac), or Famotidine (Pepcid). These are also now available over-the-counter at lower dosage.

Antacids and H-2 blockers should be taken one hour apart as antacids may reduce the other drugs’ effectiveness. New drugs like Omeprazole (Prilosec) and Nexium completely stop stomach acid production. These drugs are generally prescribed for short-term use.

Improving gastric emptying can be undertaken by Cisapride, Metoclopromide, Bethanachol, Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and other drugs. These drugs increase the squeezing action of the esophagus and tighten the esophageal sphincter, in addition to making the stomach empty faster.

Why Choose Our Specialists?

• Dr. Daniel G. Becker, Founder and Medical Director of The Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy Center, is a highly trained, board-certified specialist who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1986.  
• Dr. Samuel S. Becker, Director of Rhinology at The Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy Center, is a highly trained, board-certified specialist who graduated from Amherst College in 1991 and attended medical school at the University of California San Francisco.
• Dr. Kenneth Rosenstein is a highly trained, board certified otolaryngologist who attended medical school at Mcgill University, and completed his residency training at the prestigious New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.
• Dr. Naomi Gregory is a highly trained, board certified otolaryngologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Dr. Gregory completed medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia PA.
• Dr. Michael Lupa, MD is a highly trained, board certified otolaryngologist with additional training in sinus surgery and allergy treatment as well as advanced skull base surgery. He studied Biology at Tufts University and went on to complete medical school at Case Western University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. 
• Dr. Robert Mignone is a highly trained, board-certified otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon who attended medical school at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. 
• Dr. Aubrey McCullough is a highly trained otolaryngologist, facial plastic and head and neck surgeon who completed medical school at Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine.
• Dr. Luke Kim is an otolaryngologist who specializes in the diagnosis, medical management, and surgical treatment of diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Dr. Kim graduated with honors and with distinction from Cornell University and completed his medical studies at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Tell me about surgical treatment of GERD

Surgical treatment is undertaken as a last resort. If the dietary and medical treatments do not bring relief, or if the patient finds them hard to comply with, they may be candidates for surgery. One procedure is called “fundoplication.” It involves wrapping the top of the stomach around the top of the esophagus in order to strengthen support and prevent reflux. If possible, it is preferable to control GERD with medical treatment!

Sinusitis occurs when viruses or bacteria infect the sinus cavities, usually due to blockage of the small drainage pathways that lead to the nasal passages. This causes an inflammation of the sinuses, which stops proper drainage. Symptoms include facial pain, headaches, nasal drainage, cough, postnasal drip, bad breath, upper jaw pain, sore throat, sensitive eyes, swelling of the eyelids, general fatigue, and fever. Even after treatment of a sinus infection, inflammation can persist. Chronic sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses that continues for at least a few weeks, but often continues for months or even years.

Chronic sinusitis affects approximately 35 million Americans each year, or 15% of the population. Sinusitis is more prevalent that arthritis or hypertension. Americans make 645,000 emergency department visits annually due to sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis resulted in approximately 13 to 18 million physician visits in 1994. The health impact of sinusitis on bodily pain, chest pain, and social functioning has been noted to be worse than that of congestive heart failure, angina, or back pain.

At The Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy Center, physicians can do a fiberoptic evaluation of your nose and sinuses to pinpoint the problem, and can show you the specific problem on a video screen. Treatment options vary, and are personalized to your particular anatomy, history and the nature of your problem. Recent technology has made these treatments more effective, safer, and more comfortable than ever before. GERD Telemedicine available now.

Frequently Asked Questions about GERD