Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Saturday Night Live or just watch a few clips on YouTube, Kenan Thompson earns the endurance award for being the longest-serving member of the show. However, about two years ago, Thompson started noticing that his voice was becoming more strained during his late-night performances each Saturday. Even on other nights, he found it difficult to sleep because his burping or hiccuping would keep him awake.
Thompson attempted some over-the-counter remedies and made dietary changes, but found no relief. After “suffering in silence” for some time, he realized the seriousness of his condition and consulted a doctor. The diagnosis was gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD.
“I wasn’t aware there was a medical term for it,” Thompson shared with People. He felt immediate relief after being prescribed a potassium-competitive acid blocker called Voquenzna. Thompson is now collaborating with the manufacturer of Voquenzna, Phathom Pharmaceuticals, to help others learn more about GERD and how to find relief.
Symptoms and causes of GERD
Following a heavy meal or consuming specific trigger foods, you might experience a burning sensation that rises from the middle of your chest or even reaches your throat. This discomfort, known as heartburn or acid reflux, can also occur if you eat too late at night or lie down soon after eating. Occasional heartburn is quite common. However, if these symptoms occur frequently or persist over time, it could indicate GERD.
GERD happens when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach. This backwash, or acid reflux, can irritate the lining of your esophagus, leading to symptoms like heartburn or regurgitation—a sour or bitter taste in the mouth caused by food or acid rising up. However, not everyone with GERD experiences these typical symptoms. Some individuals may have difficulty swallowing or, as in Thompson’s case, throat inflammation leading to hoarseness. Others might experience chest pain, cough, or nausea. Factors like pregnancy, obesity, and smoking can contribute to GERD or exacerbate its symptoms. Certain medications, including sedatives, calcium channel blockers, NSAIDs, and tricyclic antidepressants, can also trigger GERD.
Finding relief for GERD
The treatment of GERD might begin with lifestyle adjustments such as losing weight, quitting smoking, and identifying foods that may trigger symptoms. Common trigger foods include alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, mint, spicy foods, and high-acid foods like citrus and tomatoes. You might find relief from GERD by using several pillows to keep your body at an incline while you sleep (read about the best sleep position if you struggle with acid reflux). Over-the-counter (OTC) medications might include antacids, which offer temporary symptom relief. Histamine blockers (such as Pepcid AC) and proton pump inhibitors (like Prilosec OTC) both reduce stomach acid production to provide longer relief. These are also available in prescription strength. Voquezna (vonoprazan) is a new class of drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating non-erosive GERD.
If modifying your lifestyle and trying various medications don’t provide relief, your doctor may conduct diagnostic tests to ensure you don’t have any GERD complications. Stomach acid can cause inflammation or narrowing of your esophagus, or damage to the tissues of your esophagus could increase your risk of esophageal cancer.
