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Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disorder (LPR)
LARYNGOPHARYNGEAL
REFLUX DISORDER:
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is similar to another condition – GERD — that results from the contents of the stomach backing up (reflux). But the symptoms of LPR are often different than those typical of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
With laryngopharyngeal reflux, you may not have the classic symptoms of GERD, such as a burning sensation in your lower chest (heartburn). That’s why it can be hard to diagnose and is sometimes called silent reflux.
Causes of LPR:
Acid is normally produced in the stomach. It is prevented from backing up or refluxing into your esophagus (or food pipe) and throat by a band of muscle at the entrance of the stomach known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If this band of muscle is not functioning well, you can have a backflow of acid into your esophagus and into your throat and larynx, this is called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).
Symptoms of LPR
The symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux can consist of a dry cough, chronic throat clearing and a sensation of something being stuck in the throat (globus). Patients may complain that they wake up from sleeping due to coughing. Some people will also complain of heartburn, while others may have intermittent hoarseness or loss of voice. Hoarseness may be more prevalent in the morning. Another major symptom of LPR is “postnasal drip”. The patients often have been told that their symptoms are abnormal nasal drainage or infections, however, this is rarely the cause of the irritation. In order for the “postnasal drip” to cause the complaints described, signs and symptoms of active nasal infection has to be present.
Speech-pathologists may get a referrel on a patient with some or a few of the symptoms above. A referrel must be made to a gastroenterologist or ENT if LPR is suspected.
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