How I Cured My Silent Reflux: The Counterintuitive Path to Healing Acid Reflux, GERD, and Silent Reflux (LPR)

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Zalvan, C. H., et al. (2017). A comparison of alkaline water and Mediterranean diet vs proton pump inhibition for treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Despite this disagreement, research suggests that low stomach acid can contribute to many gut problems, including heartburn, regurgitation, reflux, and fullness after meals [ 16].

Difficulties swallowing (dysphagia) – Many LPR sufferers experience trouble swallowing due to throat inflammation. Most people with reflux or heartburn imagine that it would be a good idea to reduce stomach acid with PPI medication. But many patients with LPR symptoms don’t experience relief with this therapy [ 13]. Poorly functioning Lower Oesophageal Sphincter (LOS); it’s failure, often but not always associated with a hiatus hernia, will allow reflux of stomach contents up to the throat. This can be in either liquid or aerosol/gaseous form and will cause local irritation or cause a nervous reflex for instance causing a cough and is probably the most common cause of all types of reflux symptoms. So eating lower acidity foods and drinks obviously directly helps with that. But for LPR you also have another important thing to consider – the pepsin. The reason the pepsin effect is important is because when it enters the throat it can lays dormant in the cells in your throat etc. even after the acid reflux has stopped. And because pepsin is activated more with a higher acidity level this means if you eat something more acidic and it passes over the throat and reactivates the dormant pepsin this means you get irritation and your symptoms will be worsened – this is what causes LPR symptoms.

I assume that Gaviscon, like most other things, is not meant for long term use. Does the company say or do you know what the recommended term for use is (meaning Pepcid for example says do not use more than 2 weeks unless directed by a doc). Also – is there any information on negative effects Gavison does to your system?

For adults with silent reflux, some lifestyle changes can keep the throat from becoming dry and irritated.

If antacids do not work, a doctor may prescribe a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as omeprazole, to reduce stomach acidity. A person with LPR can use these for between 4 weeks and 6 months. In children Children with symptoms of LPR that appear alongside breathing and feeding problems need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Silent reflux can have serious health consequences. Getting an accurate diagnosis of your LPR is essential. The tests we use will enable us to do this for you and will also inform your treatment plan. Read more about how we diagnose LPR and the tests we use here. LPR Treatment Success Stories

However, each trigger food can affect people differently. Pay close attention to what foods cause you more discomfort or worsen your upper endoscopy results. Foods to eat A person could eat a grilled fish fillet with steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, for a filling meal that should not aggravate silent reflux. Close, L. G. (2002, September).Laryngopharyngeal manifestations of reflux: diagnosis and therapy. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Herpetology,14 Suppl 1:S23-7

It’s also been suggested that melatonin supplementation can protect your esophagus from stomach acid [ 22, 23]. Including melatonin supplements at bedtime may help reduce reflux and protect your esophagus from the negative effects of reflux. Motility Supports and Prokinetics for Reflux The amazing thing is remedies such as the one described in this article are relatively simple, fast, and inexpensive. Sadly, however they are little known because the concepts are partially based on science that is only twenty years old, are somewhat counterintuitive, and contradict millennia of cultural understanding on this topic. Ironically, for many patients who don’t feel better on PPIs , increasing stomach acid improves reflux. Using a betaine HCL supplement to increase stomach acid just before meals may help. More people responded to a plant-based mediterranean diet, and to a greater degree, than those taking medication. Those following the diet were also told to drink alkaline water. Alkaline water has the ability to inactivate pepsin, so this makes a lot of sense. Huestis MJ, Keefe KR, Kahn CI, Tracy LF, Levi JR. Alternatives to Acid Suppression Treatment for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2020 Oct;129(10):1030-1039. doi: 10.1177/0003489420922870. Epub 2020 May 25. PMID: 32449369.

Some people respond well to self-care and medical management. However, others need more aggressive and lengthy treatment. If this is not effective or if symptoms recur, your doctor may suggest surgery. Let’s explore how to use these steps to approach your ideal LPR treatment. Diet and Eating Habits for LPR We removed common foods known to contribute to silent reflux as well as other common food sensitivities from her diet for 4 weeks. After this, we carefully re-introduced foods while Janet kept a journal of her symptoms. The Follow Up Medications to treat silent reflux, such as antacids, are available over the counter (OTC). These can help prevent the acid from returning to the esophagus.Additional tests for LPR might include a barium X-ray and an examination of the stomach and food pipe, which involves passing through the mouth a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached. For children For thousands of years, a home remedy for indigestion involved chewing chalks and food grade charcoals. In modern day, these naturally occurring compounds (such as calcium carbonate) are the active ingredient in popular antacids such as Tums, Alka Seltzer and Pepto Bismol. As such, I have summarized an approach that I used to successfully transition off of my acid reflux medications and ultimately to eliminate my reflux entirely. Stomach acid that pools in the throat and larynx can cause long-term irritation and damage. Without treatment, it can be serious.