Bile reflux: symptoms, causes and which doctor to see

For bile reflux you can first see: Internal Medicine or General Surgery or Gastroenterology. In large hospitals, the Gastroenterology unit also deals with this. If you are not sure, a family doctor (general practitioner) can assess you first and refer you to the right specialist.

Common symptoms: a bitter, yellow taste in the mouth; vomiting yellow-green fluid; burning and pain in the upper stomach; hoarseness and cough; weight loss (in severe cases). Symptoms vary from person to person; a doctor’s examination is needed for a diagnosis.

The most common causes: after gallbladder surgery; stomach surgery; peptic ulcer and malfunction of the pyloric valve. Only a doctor’s examination can determine the exact cause.

Treatment aims to ease symptoms; medicines that bind bile acids and, if needed, surgery are used.

It is more common in: people who have had gallbladder surgery; people who have had stomach surgery.

On endoscopy, bile and inflammation are seen in the stomach; biopsy and special measurements are done if needed.

There is no specific way to prevent it; reflux measures reduce the complaints.

In bile reflux, a bitter taste and yellow-green vomiting are to the fore; the response to acid-reducing medicines is more limited.

It can happen in some people.

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, call 112 without delay: “Is there vomiting of blood, black stools or difficulty swallowing?” “Is there confusion, fainting or difficulty waking up?” “Is there facial drooping, slurred speech or sudden weakness in an arm or leg?” “Are you struggling to breathe even at rest?”

See a doctor: there is a constant bitter taste in the mouth and vomiting; complaints started after stomach or gallbladder surgery.