Acid Reflux & Laryngopharyngeal RefluxWhat is Reflux and What is LPR?
The term LARYNGOPHARYNGEAL REFLUX (LPR) refers to the backflow of food or stomach acid all of the way back up into the larynx (the voice box) or the pharynx (the throat). LPR can occur during the day or night, even if a person who has LPR hasn’t eaten a thing during the last couple of hours. Not everyone who has reflux has LPR. Some people have reflux just into the esophagus (the swallowing tube that joins the throat to the stomach). If this happens a lot, a person may develop heartburn (a painful, burning sensation in the chest). Many People with LPR Don’t Have Heartburn…Why is That?Some people with LPR have a lot of heartburn, but most people who have LPR usually don’t have heartburn very often if at all. In fact, more than half of the people who have LPR never have heartburn at all. This is because the material that refluxes does not stay in the esophagus for very long. In other words, the acid does not have enough time to irritate the esophagus which already has some innate ability to resist acid. However, if even small amounts of refluxed stomach secretions (acid and Pepsin-an important digestive enzyme) come all the way up into the throat, other problems can occur. This is because compared to the esophagus, the voice box and throat are much more sensitive to injury and irritation from stomach acid. How Do I Know If I Have LPR?Chronic hoarseness, throat clearing, cough, a feeling of a lump in the throat, or difficulty swallowing may be signs that you have LPR. Some people do have heartburn as well. Some people have hoarseness that comes and goes and others complain of a post nasal drip (a feeling of excess mucous or phlegm in the throat). If you have any of these symptoms, and especially if you smoke, you should ask your doctor about LPR. The specialist who most often treats people with LPR is the Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose,and Throat Specialist). If your doctor thinks that you could have LPR, he or she will probably perform a throat exam first and look at the voice box and the lower throat with a fiberoptic scope. If this area looks swollen and/or red, you may have LPR. At that point, you doctor may recommend specific treatment measures. What Tests Might My Doctor Order?If your doctor orders tests, this is to be sure about your diagnosis, to make sure that you don’t The most common initial test is a video- esophagram or Barium Swallow. It is an X-Ray test in which you must swallow a thick liquid material that can be seen on the X-Rays. This test shows how you swallow in real time, and it shows if there is a narrowing or other abnormality of the throat or esophagus. It is a good test to evaluate the entire swallowing mechanism. How is LPR Treated?Treatment for LPR should be individualized, and your doctor will suggest the best treatment for you. Generally, there are several treatments for LPR:
Most people with LPR need to modify how and when they eat, as well as take some medications to get well. Will I Need LPR Treatment Forever?
For people with severe LPR, or people who cannot take reflux medicine, “antireflux” surgery (to create a new and better stomach valve) may be recommended. In people who have this surgery, most get good relief from LPR for many years.
What Kind of Problems Can LPR Cause, and Are They Serious?LPR can cause serious problems. LPR can cause noisy breathing, choking episodes, breathing problems (such as asthma or bronchitis) and very uncommonly, cancer of the esophagus, throat, or voice box. (For cancer to develop as a result of LPR, the LPR must be very severe and go untreated for many years or be accompanied by smoking and alcohol consumption). Can Children Get LPR?Yes, throat and lung breathing problems in infants and children can be caused or worsened by LPR. LPR is more difficult to diagnose in children, so infants and children who may have LPR should be taken to specialists for evaluation. |
|
The term REFLUX comes from a Greek word that means “backflow,” and it usually refers to “the back flow of stomach contents.” Normally, once the things that we eat reach the stomach, digestion should begin without the contents of the stomach coming back up again…refluxing.
have any complications of LPR, and to help pick the best type of treatment for you.
|