ACID REFLUX TREATMENT (GERD) (LPR)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a chronic disease and usually is life-long once it begins. This is a condition in which the liquid of the stomach regurgitates backs up into the esophagus. The regurgitated liquid contains acid and pepsin (pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of the proteins in the stomach) which is produced by the stomach.
GERD affects at least 5-7% of the global population in men, women and children. Although common, GERD is often unrecognized and misunderstood. This can be unfortunate since GERD is generally a treatable disease.
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It is important for individuals who suffer persistent heartburn or other chronic and recurrent symptoms of GERD to seek an accurate diagnosis. Working with a physician is the first step to receiving the most effective treatments. |
Adult symptoms of GERD:
Frequent heartburn
Asthma
Sore throat
Nausea
Hoarseness
Laryngitis
Feeling as if there is a lump in your throat
Earaches
Bad breath
Symptoms in infants and Children:
Recurrent vomiting
Breathing problems
Failure to thrive
Coughing
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This is an Endoscopic view of the narrowing of the esophagus near the area joining with the stomach. |
Treatments for Gerd:
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To manage GERD you must reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and the amount of reflux that occurs. If you have a mild case, this can be treated by using over-the-counter antacids and making certain lifestyle changes. Sometimes lifestyle changes and medications may not be sufficient to control even mild cases. For uncontrollable cases, GERD is first treated with prescription medications and then sometimes with surgery. |
Some types of drugs generally used for the treatment are H2 blockers such as Pepcid, Axid, Zantac, and Tagamet. These can help decrease the stomach’s production of acid and work best for some people with mild GERD. For moderate or severe cases physicians may use medications such as Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexxium and Protonix.
WHAT IS LPR?
Laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR is a condition due to a small amount of stomach acid and enzymes making their way into your larynx, or voice box. The condition is treated with medications as well as behavior and diet changes. While LPR is not a dangerous condition, there have been reported cases of patients developing cancer from chronic reflux. The following is an information sheet to help you understand this condition.
WHO GETS LPR?
Laryngopharyngeal reflux commonly affects women. The average age of onset is 57. While the condition is made worse with obesity, it occurs very frequently in thin, tall women. A smaller percentage of men have LPR. The most common symptom is a gravelly voice present upon awakening and continuing throughout the day. With this comes ease of losing the voice, or voice fatigability. The sensation of “a lump in the throat,” or globus sensation, is also very common. This is due to hyperactivity of the muscle trying to hold the acid down in the esophagus. Finally, in response to laryngeal injury, the larynx produces a significant amount of mucus. Patients therefore often complain of significant throat clearing and the sensation of postnasal drip. Since the body cannot tell whether the “drip” is coming from the larynx or from the sinuses above, LPR is often confused with sinus symptoms or even asthma.
The above three symptoms, globus sensation, chronic throat clearing, and gravelly voice, are the most common presenting symptoms of LPR. Chronic throat pain, or the sensation of choking as well as chronic cough, may also be experienced. Heartburn is not commonly associated with LPR, and studies suggest that perhaps only 6% of patients with LPR have heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
If you believe you have GERD or LPR, please contact our office for an appointment.
