Why Do I Feel Something Rising from My Stomach to My Throat?

The sensation of something pushing up from the stomach to the throat is generally related to gastric acid reflux, which is mainly caused by excessive gastric acid secretion. This may be due to patients frequently skipping breakfast, leading to an increase in gastric acid and subsequent irritation of the gastric mucosa. For patients experiencing this sensation, it is recommended to lie flat, gently pat the back, or consume alkaline foods to neutralize gastric acid secretion, as this can otherwise lead to burns on the gastric mucosa.

Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as "pyrosis". It refers to a burning sensation behind the sternum and below the xiphoid process, typically occurring one hour after eating and more frequently during recumbency, bending, or increased abdominal pressure.

When the contents of the stomach reflux into the throat or mouth, it is called acid reflux, which often accompanies heartburn as the most common symptom of this condition. Additionally, hiccups may occur during acid reflux due to the presence of gas in the stomach, which escapes along with the refluxed contents. Some patients may experience intense discomfort when hiccups bring the refluxed food particles and gastric acid into the throat or mouth.

Severe esophagitis or esophageal ulceration caused by irritation of the sensory nerve endings beneath the esophageal epithelium by acidic reflux can lead to swallowing pain. The refluxate can also stimulate mechanoreceptors, causing esophageal spasms and severe stabbing pain that radiates to the back, waist, shoulders, and neck, resembling angina pectoris. Due to esophageal spasms or dysfunction, some patients may experience dysphagia, and the condition may worsen with the development of esophageal narrowing.

Irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa by refluxate can lead to pharyngitis, manifesting as hoarseness, throat discomfort, or a foreign body sensation. When inhaled into the respiratory tract, it can cause coughing and asthma. This type of asthma caused by refluxate is not seasonal and often manifests as paroxysmal coughing and wheezing at night. In some patients, repeated aspiration pneumonia or even lung fibrosis may occur.