Water brash is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It refers to stomach acid mixing with excess saliva in your throat, which can cause an unpleasant taste and heartburn, among other symptoms.
Water brash is also called acid brash. If you have acid reflux or GERD, stomach acid gets into your throat. This may make you salivate more. If this acid mixes with the excess saliva during reflux, you’re experiencing water brash.
Water brash usually causes a sour taste, or it may taste like bile. You may also experience heartburn with water brash because the acid irritates the throat.
When you swallow food, it travels down the esophagus to your stomach. The muscle that separates the throat and stomach is the
If the LES weakens or becomes strained, stomach acid
Certain foods — such as carbonated drinks and caffeine — can trigger GERD and water brash. If you experience GERD after eating certain foods, your doctor will recommend eliminating those foods from your diet.
Other triggers contributing to GERD symptoms include obesity, smoking, and stress.
Treating GERD will effectively ease your water-brash symptoms. Common medications for GERD include antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and H2 blockers. All of these work to either neutralize or reduce the amount of stomach acid.
Another treatment method is to make lifestyle changes, like adding certain foods to your diet, losing weight, or quitting smoking. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to strengthen the LES.
Learn more: Treating GERD.
If you are living with GERD, you can try to make a few adjustments that may help reduce how often your symptoms flare up.
Try consuming smaller meals and eating fewer acidic foods. Also, limit carbonated beverages and alcohol, and try not to eat too close to bedtime. When you do eat, stay upright for at least two hours before lying down.
If you have symptoms of acid reflux, such as water brash or heartburn, and it’s happening more than twice a week, the American College of Gastroenterology recommends that you see a doctor. They may diagnose you with GERD and put you on the path to the right treatment.
Even if you already know you have GERD, continuing to have frequent symptoms is a sign your condition is not managed well, and you may need to change your treatment.
What is the best antacid for water brash?
According to the ACG’s Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of GERD and its symptoms, there’s no evidence to suggest that any one antacid might be better than another. Other research confirms this conclusion.
Does drinking water trigger GERD or water brash?
The term water brash refers to excessive saliva that mixes with stomach acid in your mouth and not to water that you drink. That said, the normal pH of water is around 7.0. While technically neutral, this is more alkaline than stomach acid. This means that drinking water may raise the stomach’s pH. It may also aid in the digestion process. Both effects together may actually help decrease symptoms of GERD.
What does acid brash feel like?
Generally speaking, water brash feels like excessive moisture in your mouth that may have a bad taste. This often goes along with acid reflux and heartburn.
Can a hiatal hernia cause water brash?
A hiatal hernia can cause GERD, which means it can cause symptoms related to acid reflux, such as heartburn and water brash.
GERD can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including water brash. This condition can be treated.
If you’re experiencing water brash, visit your doctor to discuss treatment options. You could be able to get rid of acid brash by making lifestyle changes. If these don’t work, medication may be required.