Silent reflux occurs when stomach acid creates irritation in the neck, particularly behind the breastbone in the center of the trunk.
LaryngoPharyngeal Reflux (LPR) is the medical term used to describe this disease.
Irritation, pain, and burning can occur when these stomach acids come into touch with the food pipe and vocal cords. These unpleasant feelings are caused by a reflux action.
As a result, the stomach acid goes back into the esophagus, irritating the throat.
Silent Reflux can affect both children and adults, but it is easily curable.
How Is Silent Reflux Caused?
Stomach acid that rises up into the throat causes silent reflux. When you swallow, food travels down your throat and into your stomach via your esophagus.
The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscle that regulates the entrance between the esophagus and the stomach. Except when you swallow food, the muscle remains securely locked.
The acid-containing contents of the stomach can go back up into the esophagus if this muscle fails to shut, and that’s how you get silent reflux.
Symptoms
- Coughing.
- Hoarseness.
- Frequent throat clearing.
- Bitter taste.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Irritation of vocal cords.
- Swelling of vocal cords.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Vomiting.
- Asthma.
- A sore throat.
- Noisy breathing.
- Ear infections.
- Eating difficulties.
Diagnosis
There are three testing methods a doctor applies to see if one has silent reflux. The ways are:
- In a swallowing study, the patient drinks a special liquid called barium, which covers the esophagus, stomach, and intestine, allowing an X-ray to show the shape of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine. This enables the doctor to observe the passage of food from the mouth to the esophagus.
- An endoscope, a long thin tube with a camera on the end that the doctor slips through the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach, can also be used to examine the inside of the stomach and esophagus.
- The pH in the esophagus is measured and recorded during an esophageal pH test. A thin, tiny tube is gently pushed down the nose and positioned 2 inches above the lower esophageal sphincter. The tube from the nose is connected to a portable recorder worn over the shoulder. The patient hits numerous buttons on the recorder to mark occurrences.
Treatment
Many individuals are able to regulate their symptoms by changing their dietary habits and adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Antacids and other over-the-counter medications for silent reflux are available. These can aid in the prevention of acid reflux into the esophagus.
H2-blockers, a kind of antihistamine, may be beneficial, especially if the cough is bothersome at night.
If antacids fail to relieve stomach acidity, a doctor may prescribe a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as omeprazole. These can be used for 4 to 6 months by someone with a silent reflux problem.
Reflux is common in infants and toddlers up to one year, but only those who have trouble eating or shortness of breathe may need therapeutic assistance.
Changing the child’s eating patterns and using age-appropriate medicine may be beneficial. In some instances, tube feeding and surgery may be helpful if other treatments have not been effective.
Remedies
Some lifestyle adjustments can help persons with silent reflux maintain their throats from getting dry and inflamed.
For example, tobacco abstention, avoiding sodium bicarbonate-containing chewing gum, and avoiding mint and mint-flavored meals may be beneficial.
Losing weight, if necessary, lifting the head of the bed to allow gravity to assist in preventing reflux, wearing loose clothes, and bending the knees when picking up things to relieve pressure on the stomach are also helpful remedies for treating silent reflux.
Clearing the throat might exacerbate symptoms.
Other, maybe less hazardous techniques to cleanse the throat include swallowing. Instead of coughing, you could violently exhale while softly tapping the vocal cords together and taking a drink of water.
Shouting, whispering, prolonged speaking, and cleaning the throat can all cause throat irritation, so avoid them if at all possible.
Most children should outgrow silent reflux problems by their first birthday. Some, on the other hand, may require medical attention.
Smaller but more frequent meals could be helpful for the baby. When feeding, you could also keep the infant upright for at least 30 minutes and watch for symptoms of respiratory or eating difficulties.
Get Better Right Now!
LPR can affect anybody; however, it becomes more common as individuals become older.
When a person’s painful throat is caused by acid reflux, they may also have a lump in their throat. It frequently seems to start as an upper respiratory infection.
Some people can avoid acid reflux-related sore throats by avoiding activities and foods that raise the risk of acid reflux and associated consequences.
So, if you still have more queries regarding this disease, you should visit a doctor.
