Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, A Simple Guide to the Condition, Treatment and Related Diseases

LPR is called the silent reflux disease
It is due to the abnormal acid backflow release
From the stomach to the vocal box or larynx
Or even higher up the throat or pharynx

There is frequent hoarseness and throat clearing
Sometimes frequent sore throat and chronic coughing
There is sometimes dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing
Some presents like asthma with difficulty in breathing

Endoscopy can see abrasion in the stomach structure
And sometimes narrowing of the esophagus or strictures
This is cause difficulty in swallowing
And collection of phlegm resulting in coughing

Treatment is by the raising of the head of the bed
And for the obese the losing of weight
Antacids are given to neutralize the acid secretions
While surgery can release any esophageal constrictions

-An original poem by Kenneth Kee

Interesting Tips about the Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

A Healthy Lifestyle

1. Take a well Balanced Diet

2. Treatment of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux:
A. Prevention of reflux:
a. Weight loss for the Obese
b. Positional therapy
c. Smoking reduces lower esophageal sphincter competence, and should be avoided
d. Avoid stress.

B. Neutralizing the Gastric Acid Reflux
a. Proton pump inhibitors are the best drugs used in reducing gastric acid secretion. (e.g. Nexium, Losec)
b. Antacids taken before meals half hourly after symptoms begin can reduce gastric acidity (liquid antacid are more useful than tablets)
c. Alginic acid (Gaviscon) protects the mucosa as well as increase pH and decrease reflux.
d. Gastric H2 receptor blockers such as ranitidine or famotidine decrease gastric secretion of acid.

C. Surgical treatment
The standard surgical treatment, done laparoscopically, is the Nissen fundoplication.

The upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to strengthen the sphincter and prevent acid reflux and to repair a hiatus hernia.

3. Keep bones and body strong

Bone marrow produces our blood

Eat foods rich in calcium like yogurt, cheese, milk, and dark green vegetables.

Eat foods rich in Vitamin D, like eggs, fatty fish, cereal, and fortified milk.

Eat food rich in Vitamins B and C such as green vegetables and fruits

Zinc and other minerals are important to the body

4. Get enough rest and Sleep

Avoid stress and tension

5. Exercise and stay active.

It is best to do weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights for 2½ hours a week.

One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week.

Begin slowly especially if a person has not been active.

6. Do not drink more than 2 alcohol drinks a day for a man or 1 alcohol drink a day for a woman.

Alcohol use also increases the chance of falling and breaking a bone.

Alcohol can affect the neurons and brain cells.

7. Stop or do not begin smoking.

It also interferes with blood supply and healing.

Chapter 1

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR) is a chronic disease of the pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box) whose mucosa is damaged by abnormal acid backflow (reflux) of gastric acid from the stomach to the esophagus.

During the course of medical treatment of many chronic cough I find that many patients’ chronic coughs come not from their lungs but from their throats especially when they have symptoms of GERD or gastritis.

In fact one of the most common causes is from the acid and gas which are pushed up into their throat or vocal cords.