acid reflux and singing

I've heard in the past few years more and more singers saying they have this affliction, Acid Reflux. It sounds like a nightmare for a singer (knock wood i've managed to escape it somehow), but-

I've often wondered, has 'acid reflux' been a singer's malady for decades under a different name? I have been a singer for many years and only recently started hearing about 'acid reflux' from my friends and coworkers as a chronic problem. We've all been singing from the diaphragm for centuries so, why the sudden insurgence of this particular disease?

Clearly to call it 'heart burn' is an insult to those who suffer from it (from what i've gathered?).

I certainly believe it exists, but i find it hard to believe it has just surfaced in the past 5 years or so.

Such as 'noxema' was an original cure for 'ex(c)ema' but then switched to makeup remover because it was better for sales- is there some 'older remedy' for this disease by a different name that would save people from having to take all these medications (which in most cases seem to make things worse)?

Acid reflux.
Ancient malady under another name, or recent pharmaceutical boon at the sake of singers.

discuss if you like, please.

tinydancer

I have it, and it's never affected my singing.

---

I have it as well, and it doesn't usually effect your singing. Like all things, if you take care of yourself before singing and eat the foods that are right, you shouldn't have a problem. I take the medication with the dancing stomach--the name is escaping me now.

I have it, and it doesn't really affect my singing unless it's really bad, and then it throws the high end of my chest voice off...if that's the case, I just have to spend a bit longer warming up. I happen to take Nexium for it and it keeps it under control most of the time. I think Ashlee Simpson is full of it. While she may have it, if it's bad enough to ruin her singing then chances are it's progressed to Barrett's Esophagus, which is a pre-cancerous condition that untreated reflux can lead to.

---

love this topic! i, too, have reflux. i think the name and diagnosis is fairly new. at least all the new meds are. i've had it since i was a child (was tested for an ulcer at 4 years old!) and was taking pepcid (perscription) for a "nervous stomach" as soon as i could swallow pills.

i guess i'm different than most here. it affects everything for me. my singing voice, yes, but also my speaking voice and it aggrivates my sinuses--you can reflux into your sinuses at night...causes cronic infections, etc... when it's bad, my speaking voice is hoarse and scratchy adn it takes all i have to sing big songs. foods affect it...anything citrus affects it...even too little sleep can make it worse.

here is some information on how it can be misdiagnosed, etc...

http://www.newyorksinuscenter.com/nysc_diagnosis_treatment.html

as far as ashlee simpson goes...i think that it could affect you to the point of losing your voice, especially on big belting songs...but in the matter of a few hours to go from "a great soundcheck/rehearsal" to not being able to sing? give me a break!

---

I'm a singer and have suffered with acid reflux for a few years. It definitely affects my singing. I absolutely believe Ashley Simpson. I think with her, it's a combination of reflux and the need for better technique. When I first went to a throat doctor about it, I was told I had the reddest throat they'd ever seen. I was given antibiotics to avoid infection, and they helped a great deal. I was on the antibiotics for longer than usual - 17 days. I've kept it under control with various medications, but just two days ago I've developed some symptoms again: The feeling that you have a lump in your throat; the need to clear your throat constantly (which can lead to more irritation); etc. Coincidentally, I've done more singing over the past two weeks than I have for a long time. At the same time, I've recently been very aggravated about something and can actually feel a "burning" feeling. It's all related: the emotions, the sinuses, the throat, the stomach, the esophagus. Help! I hope I've sparkled up your day.

i get acid reflux all the time! i was at school and i had it while i was in vocal class...and i had to sing, it only hurt a little bit when ever i brothe in . i hate it so much

---

Prilosec (over the counter)or Nexium (by prescription), once a day will cure the acid reflux problem in most people. Takes about 3 months to kick in. After that, you can drink battery acid without getting heartburn
Although I read a Wall St Journal article recently that suggested one could be at risk of alkaline reflux into the esophagus from long term use of the meds.

Wow ! this sounds so complicated , but i would do anything to get rid of these pains. it hurts!

---