Sore Throat,ENT,biaxin,GERD,prilosec,bumps On Tongue

Posted on Thu, 4 Aug 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 4 Aug 2011 Answered on

Sun, 27 May 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I've had a mild, but annoying, left sided sore throat for about 6 weeks. Saw ENT - he gave me Biaxin rx -but also scoped me and said he really thinks it's from GERD. I took Prilosec for a week and sore throat subsided some. I stopped taking it to see if it would come back. Now I noticed I have a couple of sore bumps way in the back on the side of my tongue. They may have been there before, I just never looked. But they are sore. I'm scared senseless now thinking it could be tongue cancer. (I used to smoke). I'm 53. Should I go back to ENT or to dentist?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (36 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

The sore throat on one side is most probably due to GERD. Some sore bumps on the back of your tongue are also more likely to be due to the irritation caused by the acid reflux. This can be diagnosis by upper GI endoscopy.

I encourage you to consult your physician for evaluation.

In the meantime, you might find the following measures helpful.
1. Try raising the head of your bed about four inches with blocks.
2. It also might help to avoid eating or drinking for two hours before you lie down.
3. To help control the stomach acid, one should not drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine in them, or eat chocolate or spicy or greasy foods.
4. Take some antacid
5. If the symptoms are severe, then you may need drugs like proton pump inhibitors.

"The chances of the sore tongue being cancerous growth are less" It is best to get it investigated to relieve your anxiety.

I hope my answer and recommendations are adequate and helpful. Waiting for your further follow up queries if any.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad