Can Acid Reflux Affect Your Tongue?

Acid reflux tongue is a burning sensation that occurs on your tongue. While acid reflux can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, a burning sensation on the tongue is one of the least common. Although the feeling is commonly attributed to acid reflux, researchers agree that it’s more likely a symptom of other conditions, such as burning mouth syndrome. 

Acid reflux and why it occurs

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid escapes from the stomach and enters the esophagus. It irritates the sensitive lining of the esophagus and causes a variety of uncomfortable symptoms to occur. Normally, a ring of muscles called the sphincter separates the esophagus from the stomach. The muscles relax when food is swallowed and tighten after food enters the stomach, in order to prevent stomach acid from leaking. A weak sphincter doesn’t properly contain the stomach acid, causing acid reflux.

Possible causes of acid reflux include:

• Pregnancy
• Being overweight
• Eating a large meal late at night
• Smoking
• Anxiety and stress 

Acid reflux comes with a number of painful symptoms. Some of the symptoms include:

• Indigestion
• Regurgitation
• Heartburn
• Burping
• Coughing

What is “acid reflux tongue?”

Acid reflux tongue is the term used to describe a burning sensation that occurs on the tongue. However, in most cases the cause of acid reflux tongue isn’t actually acid reflux, but rather a different condition. Some other common conditions that cause acid reflux tongue include burning mouth syndrome and allergic reactions. While it’s possible for acid reflux tongue to be caused by acid reflux, it’s far more likely caused by something else. 

Can acid reflux cause swollen taste buds?

The stomach acid that leaks up into the esophagus during an acid reflux episode can cause swollen taste buds. That’s because the painful acid can irritate the taste buds and cause them to swell. In severe cases, the stomach acid can even create burns on the tongue. Avoid eating fatty foods, spicy foods, and citrusy foods in order to decrease further pain. 

How to treat acid reflux

Acid reflux can be treated using a variety of different methods. The best way to effectively treat acid reflux is to combine different treatments together and determine what works best for your body. Dietary and lifestyle changes can help reduce your acid reflux symptoms. Medicine can also help manage your acid reflux. Some great methods of treating acid reflux include:

• Taking medicine: Talk to your doctor and determine which prescription or over the counter medication is right for you!
• Dietary changes: Avoid acidic, fatty foods that make your symptoms of acid reflux worse. Instead, seek out low acidity foods such as oatmeal, lean meat, and green vegetables.
• Home remedies: Chewing gum and taking ginger supplements are two home remedies that help treat symptoms of acid reflux.
• Lifestyle changes: Making changes in your lifestyle, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and not sleeping after meals, can help reduce the discomfort of acid reflux. 

Why Omeprazole (Generic Prilosec) is your best treatment option for acid reflux

With moderate to severe cases of acid reflux, making simple lifestyle and dietary changes may not be enough to curb your symptoms. The good news? Prescription drug Omeprazole has been proven to be incredibly effective treatment, alleviating all symptoms!

Take control of your treatment by speaking with one of our online doctors today. They can help you discuss your best course of action, including prescription medication Omeprazole.

The best part? Omeprazole works the same as brand name acid reflux medications—at a fraction of the cost! It works by reducing stomach acid, effectively preventing recurring episodes of acid reflux. Plus, most adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, can safely take Omeprazole.

Schedule a virtual doctor’s appointment, today.

Get help for your acid reflux, today!

Acid reflux is incredibly bothersome & inconvenient. While diet & lifestyle changes may help, your best option to treat acid reflux is to speak with a doctor.

Schedule a virtual visit with one of EMD's reputable doctors & get a personalized treatment plan that works.

Stop living with acid reflux. Get help, today!