Silent GERD/LPRD

Sometimes you can experience a feeling in your throat with none of the usual symptoms of GERD - heartburn, indigestion, and reflux. For example, you may complain only of hoarseness. Others may complain of coughing fits or a feeling of fullness, making them want to clear their throat. Then there are the others that are experiencing bouts of laryngospasm. Still others may just suffer from occasional or chronic sore throat when their LPRD acts up. These are the more difficult cases to diagnose because their symptoms are not classic textsite. Often, these people jump from physician to physician without finding relief. Unless the physician and the patient are spending the time to analyze the problem, it will continue to be misdiagnosed. This is the reason why it is so important for you to speak your doctor’s language.

Symptoms of LPRD

* Apnea - shortness of breath ■ Bad/bitter taste in mouth

■ Aspiration pneumonia (especially in morning)

* Asthma-like symptoms ■ Bad breath (halitosis)

Blockage of the breathing passage, laryngospasm Chronic cough Chronic nasal congestion Chronic throat irritation (sore throat)

Chronic throat clearing, excessive mucus Constant sensation of a lump in the throat Cracking voice Dental caries Difficulty singing, especially with high notes

Difficulty swallowing Ear pain

Excessive phlegm in the throat

Frequent laryngitis

Gagging

Gingivitis

Heartburn

Hoarseness

Noisy breathing (stridor) Postnasal drip Regurgitation Weak voice Wheezing

Sinus Tips:

Surgical Options

I frequently find that my patients with GERD/LPRD often feel relief from their symptoms after sinus surgery. However, if your reflux problem is severe, or the excess acid cannot be

PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS

PPIs are the newest and most effective medications used to treat GERD/LPRD. This class of medicines works by completely blocking the production of stomach acid. They do this by shu

H2-blockers

H2-blockers are drugs that block the histamine receptors in the stomach to reduce acid secretion. The chemical histamine, the same substance released during an allergic reaction, s

ANTACIDS

Antacids are medications that work by neutralizing acid that is already in the stomach. Antacids usually contain calcium, aluminum, or magnesium. Antacids containing magnesium tend

Medical Options for Treating LPRD

If you have followed the GE Reflux Recommendations and still feel uncomfortable, you might want to consider medications, either OTC or prescription remedies. Because of the distinc

Nonmedical Options for Treating LPRD

There are many lifestyle changes that you can make to control or prevent GERD/LPRD. I call this my gastroesophageal (GE) Reflux Recommendations. GE REFLUX RECOMMENDATIONS Do not sm