Severe Gastroparesis Causes Non-Acid Reflux to Throat Level
Can Severe Gastroparesis Cause Reflux That Reaches Your Throat?
Yes, severe delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) can induce non-acid reflux that extends all the way to the proximal esophagus and throat, particularly in neurologically impaired patients. This type of reflux involves gastric contents with normal or elevated pH that can cause symptoms and complications even without the presence of acid, demonstrating that GERD-like symptoms can occur through non-acidic mechanisms.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
This research highlights an important but often overlooked aspect of reflux disease - not all reflux is acidic. In patients with severe gastroparesis, especially those with neurological conditions, the stomach becomes so sluggish that food and liquid can reflux up to the throat level even when it’s not acidic. This explains why some patients have persistent symptoms despite excellent acid suppression with PPIs. It also shows why treating the underlying motility problem is crucial, not just suppressing acid production.