choking often occurs with night time acid reflux, but silent acid reflux can also cause choking, coughing, and other issues related to the throat. Although commonly referred to as silent reflux, the actual term for this form of acid reflux is Laryngopahryngeal reflux (LPR ).
What is LPR? Laryngopharyngeal reflux is similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in what happens when the lower esophagealsphincter (LES) weakens and opens, allowing acid reflux into the esophagus. However, the main difference is that the primary symptom of GERD is heartburn, the primary symptoms of LPR typically occur in the throat.
Most people are aware that acid reflux usually occurs when the LES, the lower sphincter in the esophagus, which is located between the esophagus and stomach, malfunctions. However, what is not so well known is the esophagus actually has another sphincter called the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). UES is located where the esophagus meets the throat. When both the LES and UES not Silent acid reflux is the result.
What is the difference between LPR and GERD? As previously mentioned, LPR results when stomach acid makes it past their sphincters and pools in your throat, or reaches the back of the mouth or nose. GERD is when acid makes it past the LES remains in the chest and does not pass through the UES.
The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, which occurs after a person has experienced repeat episodes of reflux and acid burn the protective lining that covers esophagus.Although some LPR sufferers experience heartburn, this is "not a common symptom, because the refluxed digestive juices do not remain in the esophagus long enough to cause damage. This is often why LPR is referred to as silent acid reflux, because most people do not associate the symptoms they experience from laryngopharyngeal reflux with acid reflux.
What are the symptoms of LPR? Symptoms almost always occur in the throat and usually felt because, unlike the esophagus, there is no protective lining in the throat.
Common symptoms that may be experienced are as follows:
A chronic cough
on asthma symptoms, such as
O regurgitation
A sour or bitter taste in your mouth
A frequent need to clear the throat
on line mucous membranes in the throat
of a burning sensation or pain in the throat
A sore throat
o Hoarseness and possible loss of voice
o difficulty swallowing
of post-nasal drip
A pain in the ear and / or consistent ear
About Nausea [[/ P>
About Heartburn
silent acid reflux sufferer May experience some or all of these symptoms.
What do I do if I think I have LPR? Well there are a lot of acid reflux medications, but if you think that you May be suffering from laryngopharyngeal reflux, you should visit your doctor for examination and diagnosis. Your general practitioner (GP) may send you to the otorhinolaryngologist (a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating ear, nose and throat disorders, also known as a specialist ENT ).
You can expect to have various tests done, such as fiberopticendoscopy, a special test that is designed to visualize the full length of your throat, and is often used to diagnose LPR. Other tests May experience for further diagnosis are barium swallow or dual pH probe studies. It is important that you have LPR diagnosed and treated, because it can cause serious damage as untreated GERD.
What is the best cure for acid reflux? Silent acid reflux is primarily treated with the same methods as GERD. The reason is, because the goal is to reduce acid to treat symptoms and prevent acid reflux from happening. Thus, treatment typically involves lifestyle changes (IE removal of food and beverages that trigger acid reflux, quitting smoking, losing excess weight, not eating before bedtime, etc.), and may include antacid medication or surgery, depending on the severity of LPR and frequency of acid reflux attacks.
Remember that you should always consult your physician first before beginning any way to treat acid reflux. Do not self-diagnose silent acid reflux, because the symptoms you are experiencing May be related to another condition altogether. Always seek a professional diagnosis.
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