Who are the most famous celebrities who struggle with GERD or Acid Reflux?
Introduction
GERD is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the esophagus.
The main symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease is heartburn or a burning sensation behind the breastbone. Other symptoms may include regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, and a sour taste in the mouth.
Medications, such as antacids and proton pump inhibitors, can also be effective in managing symptoms. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the underlying cause of GERD.
There are a number of lifestyle changes that can help reduce the symptoms of GERD.
One of the most important is to maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can put pressure on the stomach and cause acids to reflux. Therefore, losing even a few pounds can help to alleviate symptoms.
In addition, it is important to avoid trigger foods. Common trigger foods include spicy foods, fatty foods, coffee, and chocolate.
Smoking can also worsen symptoms of GERD by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter. Quitting smoking can be difficult, but it is an important step in managing GERD.
These lifestyle changes may not completely eliminate symptoms, but they can help reduce their frequency and severity.
List of celebrities who have or had GERD or Acid Reflux:
George W. Bush
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George W. Bush suffered from acid reflux.
Bush also had benign polyps removed from his colon in July 1998 and December 1999.
Barack Obama
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Barack Obama is another former US president who suffered from acid reflux.
In December 2014, he was diagnosed by a throat specialist who performed an endoscopy. Later, Obama underwent a CT scan “out of an abundance of caution.”
Bill Clinton
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In 1992, Bill Clinton, who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001, suffered from LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux), also called “silent reflux,” which led to chronic hoarseness.
In 2004, Clinton underwent quadruple bypass surgery at the Columbia campus of NY Presbyterian Hospital.
In 2010, he had another heart procedure during which two stents were implanted in a coronary artery.
In October 2021, Bill Clinton received treatment for a urinary tract infection in a Californian hospital.
He also went vegan. “I might not be around if I hadn’t become a vegan,” Clinton said in 2016. “It’s great.”
Laura Critchley
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Laura Critchley is a Canadian-born singer and songwriter who released her debut album, Sometimes I, on November 19, 2007.
Critchley suffered from severe acid reflux, which had “burnt” her vocal cords.
“I couldn’t sing for more than half an hour without it giving out,” Critchley told Daily Mail. “Before that, I’d managed two-hour live sets with no problem at all.”
Corpse Husband
Corpse Husband is a popular YouTuber and internet personality who gained fame for Among Us Let’s Play content.
Corpse Husband struggles with GERD, and it’s the cause of his deep voice.
Corpse also suffers from thoracic outlet syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Nick Markakis
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Nick Markakis is a former professional baseball player who made his Major League debut in 2006.
On July 15, 2011, Nick got his 1,000th career hit.
Nick Markakis suffered from acid reflux.
In early 2013, he was unable to participate in the intrasquad game due to the ailment.
“I had a little reflux, and everything turned out great,” Nick said at the time. He added: “No ulcers. Just a little reflux.”
David Draiman
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David Draiman is an American singer best known as the frontman of the heavy metal band Disturbed.
In 2011, David Draiman revealed he has severe acid reflux.
“I try to stay away from things that are too oily, that aggravate the acid reflux or put the pounds on,” Draiman told Loudwire.
John Elway
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John Elway is a former American football quarterback who played 16 seasons in the National Football League with the Denver Broncos.
In 2004, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
John Elway struggled with GERD for more than a decade.
“I had heartburn for quite a while, but it just kept getting worse and worse,” John Elway revealed in an interview. “When I couldn’t swallow, and food was actually coming back up, I knew the problem was more than simple heartburn.”
Rosie O’Donnell
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Rosie O’Donnell is an American comedian who had her own daytime talk show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show.
Rosie O’Donnell had acid reflux disease.
In August 2012, Rosie suffered a heart attack.
Marcus Giles
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Marcus Giles is a former MLB player who made his major league debut in 2001.
In 2006, Giles found out he had acid reflux.
“Our doctors eliminated, unequivocally, any heart defect and diagnosed it as acid reflux,” Atlanta GM John Schuerholz said in a press release.
Ashlee Simpson
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Ashlee Simpson suffered from a chronic condition of “severe” acid reflux disease.
In 2004, her manager-father said acid reflux disease had made Ashlee’s voice hoarse during her lip-synching miscue on “Saturday Night Live.”
“My voice wasn’t strong enough,” Simpson said. “I couldn’t even speak.”
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Tyson Chandler
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Tyson Chandler is an American former professional basketball player who has also played for Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Bobcats, and the New Orleans Hornets.
In 2021, Tyson became a player development coach for the Dallas Mavericks.
Tyson Chandler has struggled with acid reflux.
“Whenever I drink or eat anything, it hurts going down my throat,” Tyson said in 2003. “I haven’t been able to eat much.”
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Jim Palmer
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Jim Palmer is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played for 19 years in MLB.
He has also been a popular spokesman.
Jim Palmer suffered from heartburn for many years.
“I thought it was normal,” Jim recalled. “I had hoarseness and irritation and was clearing my throat all the time.”
Here is a quick recap of the celebrities with GERD or acid reflux:
- George W. Bush
- Barack Obama
- Bill Clinton
- Laura Critchley
- Corpse Husband
- Nick Markakis
- David Draiman
- John Elway
- Rosie O’Donnell
- Marcus Giles
- Ashlee Simpson
- Tyson Chandler
- Jim Palmer
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