What is silent GERD?

Silent reflux is a condition in which stomach acid causes throat discomfort, especially behind the breastbone in the middle of the trunk. It does not always cause heartburn, but it can cause damage to the throat and vocal cords. The condition is also known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).


What are the symptoms of silent GERD?

Symptoms of Silent Reflux
  • Asthma.
  • Bitter taste in the throat.
  • Chronic cough or excessive throat clearing.
  • Difficulty swallowing.
  • Hoarseness.
  • Postnasal drip.
  • Sensation of a lump in the throat.
  • Sore or burning sensation in the throat.


How do you fix silent GERD?

Silent reflux treatment for adults may include these lifestyle modifications:
  1. Lose weight, if needed.
  2. Quit smoking, if you are a smoker.
  3. Avoid alcohol.
  4. Restrict chocolate, mints, fats, citrus fruits, carbonated beverages, spicy or tomato-based products, red wine, and caffeine.


What is the difference between GERD and silent GERD?

The main differences between silent reflux and acid reflux is that silent reflux does not produce heartburn as a telltale symptom and that stomach acid rises into the larynx rather than the esophagus.

Does silent GERD go away?

Most patients with LPR require some treatment most of the time and some people need medicine all of the time. Some people recover completely for months or years and then may have a relapse.


What is silent reflux and what can be done to relieve symptoms?



What is the best medicine for silent reflux?

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective medicines for the treatment of LPR.

Can an endoscopy detect silent reflux?

Silent reflux can be diagnosed using endoscopy. After you are sedated using anesthetics, your physician will insert a long, thin tube with a small camera attached at the end into your mouth, down your throat, and into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine).

How do you treat silent reflux naturally?

Management and Treatment
  1. Follow a bland diet (low acid levels, low in fat, not spicy).
  2. Eat frequent, small meals.
  3. Lose weight.
  4. Avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine.
  5. Do not eat food less than 2 hours before bedtime.
  6. Raise the head of your bed before sleeping. ...
  7. Avoid clearing your throat.


Is silent reflux worse than acid reflux?

However, in laryngopharyngeal reflux the stomach acid refluxes through the esophagus and into the back of the throat. This can cause damage to the larynx, vocal chords and lungs. For this reason, silent reflux damages the upper-aero digestive tract while GERD damages only the esophagus.

Can silent reflux damage esophagus?

Untreated, silent reflux can lead to the more serious symptoms or conditions of GERD, which include: Chronic vocal injury or scarring of the vocal folds. Barrett's esophagus (changes in the skin lining your esophagus), which can lead to a rare esophageal cancer [2]

How do I know what stage of GERD I have?

Stage 1 (mild): A person has infrequent heartburn and regurgitation happening once or less each week. Stage 2 (moderate): A person has regurgitation or heartburn occurring a few times a week. Stage 3 (severe): A person has regular heartburn, a chronic cough, regurgitation, a hoarse voice, and regurgitation of food.


Does GERD show up on endoscopy?

Abstract. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the mos common disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with GERD symptoms may exhibit a spectrum of endoscopic findings ranging from normal endoscopy (EGD negative) to severe ulcerative esophagitis.

How do you test for silent reflux?

Endoscopy; During naso-endoscopy a tiny camera is inserted through the nose to look at the throat and larynx. This can identify multiple abnormalities including evidence of reflux damage. If reflux is identified an upper gi endoscopy (otherwise known as a gastroscopy) will look at the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.

What damage can silent reflux cause?

In adults, silent reflux can scar the throat and voice box. It can also increase risk for cancer in the area, affect the lungs, and may aggravate conditions such as asthma, emphysema or bronchitis.


How is silent reflux diagnosed in adults?

Silent reflux is usually diagnosed by examination of your throat and voice box by an ENT doctor using a small camera on a thin flexible fibre-optic telescope passed through the nose. The ENT doctor or the speech and language therapist specialising in voice disorders will ask you to describe your symptoms.

Does an ENT treat silent reflux?

ENT specialists can evaluate, diagnose, and treat people experiencing acid reflux–related symptoms. If you experience heartburn more than twice a week, have chest pains after eating, experience frequent nausea, or have trouble swallowing, it's best to see an ENT specialist as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis.

Does omeprazole treat silent reflux?

Pharmacologic Treatment: Suppression of gastric acid is best accomplished with a PPI (omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, dexlansoprazole, or esomeprazole); these agents are the mainstay of empirical and medical treatment, although there is controversy regarding their efficacy.


What should you avoid with silent reflux?

If you have been diagnosed with silent reflux, you may experience symptoms including: sore throat.
...
Some foods to avoid include:
  • whole-fat dairy products.
  • fried foods.
  • fatty cuts of meat.
  • caffeine.
  • alcohol.
  • sodas.
  • onions.
  • kiwi.


How does a doctor confirm GERD?

A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets your health care provider examine the esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine, called the duodenum. Your health care provider might be able to diagnose GERD based on a history of your signs and symptoms and a physical examination.

What test confirms GERD?

An endoscopy with biopsy is one of the most common tests physicians use to confirm a diagnosis of GERD. To have the procedure, you may first need a referral from your primary care physician to see a gastroenterologist. The gastroenterologist will examine your esophagus and may take a tissue sample for testing.


Is GERD diagnosed by blood test?

The three main tests used when GERD is suspected are esophageal pH monitoring, endoscopy, and manometry. Acid reflux diagnosis depends on whether you experience complications in addition to the classic symptoms.

When is GERD considered serious?

Seek immediate medical care if you have chest pain, especially if you also have shortness of breath, or jaw or arm pain. These may be signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Make an appointment with your doctor if you: Experience severe or frequent GERD symptoms.

What are the red flags for GERD?

GERD and Dyspepsia: Red Flags / Alarm Symptoms
  • Dysphagia.
  • Odynophagia.
  • GI Bleeding.
  • Anemia (Unexplained iron deficiency anemia)
  • Unintentional weight loss.
  • Recurrent or persistent vomiting.
  • Palpable mass or lymphadenopathy.
  • Family history of upper gastrointestinal cancer.


At what age is GERD common?

Contrary to previous reports[20,30,31], in our study the prevalence of GERD was highest in the 20-29 years age group and decreased with age. Fujiwara et al[30] also reported similar findings that the prevalence of GERD symptoms was relatively higher in the 40-49 years age group and lower in the > 60 years age group.

Can silent reflux affect heart?

It's unlikely that acid reflux will cause heart palpitations directly. Anxiety may be a cause of palpitations. If the symptoms of GERD make you anxious, especially chest tightness, GERD can be an indirect cause of palpitations.
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