Even with a healthy diet, acid reflux can cause throat irritation if the lower oesophageal sphincter is weak or if you eat too close to bedtime. To reduce symptoms, avoid lying down immediately after meals, elevate the head of your bed while sleeping, and limit trigger foods such as caffeine, spicy, or acidic items. Over-the-counter antacids or proton pump inhibitors may provide temporary relief, but you should consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.

A dry cough lasting several months is considered chronic and should not be ignored. Common causes include asthma, allergies, post-nasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic infections. You should consult a doctor to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. Meanwhile, avoid triggers such as certain foods, smoke, dust, or seasonal changes, and refrain from long-term use of over-the-counter cough suppressants, as they may mask symptoms without addressing the cause.

Given your worsening symptoms, especially the pain near your liver (right upper abdomen), you should urgently consult a gastroenterologist for a proper evaluation, as this may indicate a condition beyond simple acid reflux. For immediate symptom relief, avoid fatty, spicy, and acidic foods, eat smaller meals, increase your fibre intake, stay hydrated, and try walking for 15 minutes after meals to aid digestion. Do not change your medication dose or switch tablets without your doctor's guidance, as further investigations (e.g., ultrasound or endoscopy) may be needed.

Yes, certain gastric issues, such as gastritis or delayed stomach emptying, can increase the risk of acid reflux. High sugar consumption can worsen reflux because sugar may promote bacterial fermentation in the stomach, increase gas, and relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, allowing acid to flow back into the oesophagus. Managing symptoms typically involves avoiding trigger foods such as sugary, fatty, and spicy foods, eating smaller meals, not lying down immediately after eating, and consulting a doctor for appropriate medications.

Mental disorders, especially stress, anxiety, and depression, can directly affect the digestive system through the brain-gut axis (a communication network between the brain and the gut). Stress or anxiety can signal the stomach and intestines to produce more acid, alter the speed at which food moves through the digestive tract, or increase gut sensitivity to pain. These changes can trigger or worsen symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, ulcers, GERD, and IBS, creating a cycle where physical symptoms further impact mental health. Therefore, consulting both a gastroenterologist and a mental health professional for coordinated care is important.

You should consult a doctor promptly, especially for the right-sided abdominal pain, as it may indicate serious conditions such as gallbladder issues or appendicitis that require timely evaluation. To help manage acid reflux, avoid spicy, fatty, or acidic foods, eat smaller, more frequent meals, and avoid lying down immediately after eating. The throat infection should be assessed by a doctor, who may prescribe antibiotics if it is bacterial or recommend supportive care, such as hydration, warm fluids, and throat lozenges, if it is viral.