Do you sometimes feel like your mouth is suddenly full of saliva, like something is stuck in your throat, and there is a sour taste? This is something that causes discomfort for many people. In medicine, we call this condition water brash . This is actually a symptom that is commonly seen with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), which is a severe form of gastritis. Since many people are not exactly aware of this, let's talk about it simply today.
What exactly is Water Brush?
Simply put, watery phlegm is when your salivary glands suddenly overwork themselves and produce excessive amounts of saliva in your mouth. This happens when gastritis is severe, meaning that stomach acid flows back up the esophagus into your throat and mouth.
Imagine, when stomach acid comes up, our body tries to neutralize it by increasing saliva production. This is why saliva suddenly flows into the mouth. Some people can produce up to two teaspoons (10 milliliters) of saliva per minute. When this saliva mixes with stomach acid, it gives the mouth a sour, strange taste and a feeling of something stuck in the throat.
Many people confuse this condition of watery diarrhea with regurgitation. But these are two different things. Regurgitation is the regurgitation of partially digested food from the stomach back into the throat. Watery diarrhea is the production of excess saliva.
Other symptoms that may accompany water burn
Watery diarrhea is just one symptom of GERD. You may also experience the other symptoms listed below.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Heartburn | Burning pain in the middle of the chest caused by stomach acid. |
| Regurgitation | Stomach acid and partially digested food coming up into the throat. |
| Difficulty swallowing food | Feeling like food is stuck in the throat. |
| Chest pain that is not heart disease | Pain in the part of the esophagus that is close to the heart. |
| Nausea and loss of appetite | Feeling like vomiting and decreased appetite. |
Why do we get water rash?
The main cause of this is GERD. Between our esophagus and stomach, there is a valve called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) . It's like a door. When we eat, this door opens to let food pass into the stomach, and then it closes tightly again to stop stomach acid from coming up.
But if this valve called the LES becomes weak, injured, or does not close properly, the harsh acids in the stomach start to leak up. When this acid hits the esophagus, we feel a burning sensation in our chest. This process is what causes discomfort like heartburn.
Experts are still researching this. They believe that the acid entering the esophagus signals the salivary glands to produce more saliva. This may be a defense mechanism of the body.
How is this treated?
The treatment for watery diarrhea is the same as for GERD. In most cases, the condition can be controlled with small changes in our lifestyle and eating habits, and, if necessary, with medication taken as directed by a doctor.
Lifestyle changes you need to make
| What to do | Description |
|---|---|
| Avoiding smoking | Smoking weakens the LES valve. |
| Maintaining a healthy weight | Being overweight can put pressure on the stomach and increase acid reflux. |
| Reducing alcohol consumption | Alcohol can also worsen GERD symptoms. |
| Preparing meals | Instead of 3 large meals, it is better to eat several small meals a day. |
| Eating slowly | Give your digestive system time to digest food properly. |
| Eating before bed at night | Eat dinner at least 3 hours before going to bed. Don't lie down after eating. |
Medications (only on medical advice)
Your doctor may prescribe medications to control or reduce stomach acid.
Very important: Any of these medications should only be used under the advice of your doctor. Do not take any medication at the pharmacy on your own. It is only a doctor who can determine the right medication and dosage for you.
| Drug type | Functionality |
|---|---|
| Antacids | These provide quick relief (within 30 minutes). |
| H2 blockers | Although these take about an hour to take effect, the relief lasts about 10 hours. |
| Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) | These provide long-term relief from GERD symptoms and may take 1-4 days to take effect. |
What are the bad foods to avoid this condition?
There is no specific list of foods that are bad for watery diarrhea or GERD. However, foods that relax the LES valve or take longer to digest can make symptoms worse. If you are experiencing discomfort, try cutting back on the foods below.
- Oily, fatty, and spicy foods
- Caffeinated drinks (e.g. chocolate, coffee)
- Carbonated drinks (e.g. soda)
- Citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges
- Onions and garlic
- Mint
But remember, not everyone will be allergic to these foods. It's best to be a little careful and identify which foods make you uncomfortable.
What do you do for quick relief if you suddenly encounter difficulty?
If you suddenly develop these symptoms and feel uncomfortable, try these things:
- Stand up straight: When you stand up, gravity helps the acid move back up into the stomach.
- Loosen tight clothing: Avoid wearing tight clothing (belts, tight pants) while sleeping . The pressure can increase the amount of acid coming up.
- Take an antacid as prescribed by your doctor: If your doctor has previously recommended it, you can get quick relief from an antacid.
When should I see a doctor?
If you have these symptoms (heartburn, watery eyes) for more than two weeks, be sure to see a doctor. Although watery eyes themselves are not dangerous, if the underlying GERD condition is not treated, it can damage your esophagus over time.
Although heartburn, chest pain, and regurgitation are uncomfortable symptoms of GERD, they can often be managed well with lifestyle changes and medication. So don't panic. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
Take-Home Message
- Watery eyes are a symptom of GERD (acute gastroesophageal reflux disease).
- The main reason for this is stomach acid coming up the esophagus.
- This condition can be largely controlled by making simple changes to lifestyle and eating habits.
- If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, be sure to see a doctor.
- Do not use medications as you see fit without medical advice.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Difficulty Swallowing / Dysphagia?
It is normal to have difficulty eating when your throat hurts. But 'Dysphagia' is when the rice, bread, or water you are eating is stuck in the middle of your throat/chest instead of going down your throat. This causes you to chew your food a lot, and you start coughing/choking while eating. This is a very dangerous warning sign of a dangerous cancer or neurological disease in the stomach/throat.
💬 What are the main causes of food/drinking getting stuck in the throat or chest (Dysphagia)?
The 4 main and most dangerous causes of this are: 1) 'Esophageal Cancer / Tumor' - Cancer that forms inside the esophagus (the tube leading to the stomach) and blocks the tube! (First it becomes difficult to swallow food, then it becomes difficult to swallow water). 2) Gas/Gastritis (GERD) causes the esophagus to become injured (due to acid reflux) and causes the tube to narrow/block (Strictures). 3) Weakness/loss of swallowing muscles due to stroke or Parkinson's.
💬 Why should someone who swallows as easily as they breathe, see a doctor/go to the hospital immediately when they have difficulty swallowing food (Dysphagia)?
This is not a disease that requires home treatment (an endoscopy is a must). The biggest danger! Along with difficulty swallowing, 1) 'Unexplained weight loss without any reason', 2) Unbearable pain in the throat/chest (Odynophagia) when eating, 3) Aspiration pneumonia (aspiration of food into the lungs when swallowing), it is 100% cancer/fatal disease! You need to be hospitalized immediately!
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