
Patients often complain of chronic cough or a hoarse voice or frequent clearing of the throat, and are referred to their Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. The ENT finds on exam redness and swelling in the back of the larynx and changes of the vocal cords. These changes are from Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, a common form of Gastroesophageal Reflux.
Cough Is The New Reflux
Frequently, flairs of asthma and wheezing are caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux. These lung problems can occur even when heartburn symptoms are not prominent. It is often difficult to diagnose confidently when the flairs are caused by acid reflux as opposed to allergies with post nasal drip.
It is often difficult to distinguish what is dripping down from what is refluxing up
Unlike the treatment of heartburn, frequently the treatment of asthma and laryngitis caused by reflux requires twice daily proton pump inhibitors.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Expertise”]Photo By: Mike Baird