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Acid Reflux and Ear Pain?

Can gas pains from acid reflux cause ear pain?  I know that is probably an odd question.  Yesterday I had eaten some pasta with tomato sauce and had what I thought was just acid reflux.  It started with my stomach/chest and center of my back.  But then something odd happen, I started having sharp pains not only in my chest, but my ear and front of my neck/throat area.  One minute I would get a pain in my ear, then my chest or throat.  It was so odd and a bit scary.

I'm a 29 year old female with no other medical issues, though I am a bit overweight.  A couple years ago I had esophagitis from reflux.  I take no medication because it only seemed to make things worse when I had the esophagitis, oddly enough.  Recently I have been having a lot more trouble with it because I've been really stressed.

Today I still feel this tightens in my chest when taking a deep breath.  I don't know, I've been having a lot of ear and sinus issues recently anyway.  But yesterday it seemed to be connected to the reflux.  I went to the doctor a few weeks ago for ear pain/pressure and sinus headaches.  She didn't see anything wrong with my ears other than saying there may be some fluid.  Just trying to figure out what's going on.  Thoughts?
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Avatar universal
Hi CrazyMeJ

I have constant sinus and ear problems swollen nasal canal and ears feeling like they are stopped up all the time.I have had polyps remove from my nasal turbinate and they have not come back.

I have GERDs but didn't know it until after my 15th trip to the ER because I couldn't breath and felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. All of my heart testing came back there was no problems with my heart, I had bronchitis.

What I found out through all of this is my GERDS was causing the bronchitis. Since I have been through all of this I have found out, my allergies flare up my acic reflux causing my severe coughing throwing acid into my lungs which causes the bronchitis.

I take allergy medication daily and still have the ear/sinus problems and "have nothing wrong with me". I often wonder if the acid reflex is causing some of my problems. I have spent literally thousands of dollars  trying to figure out why I am having so many issues and they have never found a cause.

I have found on line where children can have issues with their ears and nose due to acid reflux but everything I have read states adults don't have these same issues. I am starting to think they are wrong about that. There is alway an exception to the rule and I think you and I might just be the exceptions.

I hope you find an answer to your issues.

Good luck
Helpful - 0
1711789 tn?1361308007
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi there!

GI reflux is unlikely to result in ear ache. This could have been an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in the food or could result from two separate issues involving the GI and the upper respiratory tract. Other possibilities that may need to be considered include pleuritis, lower respiratory infection, neuro-muscular issues etc. I would suggest getting this evaluated by a primary care physician initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or specialist acre may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!
Helpful - 0
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