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PLACE STAMP www.ent.nm.org Fax: 312 Tel: 312 Chicago, IL, 60611 Galter 675 N. St. Clair Street, Head and Neck Surgery Department of Otolaryngology Medicine Northwestern HERE , Suite 15 - - 695 695 - - 8182 7851 - 200
lump throat in Sensation of Post drip nasal sensation hoarseness Intermittent Excessive mucous thethroat in Frequent throat clearing Chronic cough LPRD Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease Reflux Laryngopharyngeal
What is LPR? How do I know if I have LPR? How is LPR treated? Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), also called laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD), If you experience symptoms such as throat There are two main ways to treat LPR: extraesophogeal reflux, reflux laryngitis, and clearing, chronic hoarseness, difficulty medications and changes to your behavior. posterior laryngitis, is a common diagnosis swallowing, a feeling of a lump in the throat In very rare cases, surgery may be hypothesized to be caused by the backflow of stomach contents into the throat and back of your or a cough, for several weeks you might have recommended to help prevent acid reflux. nose. LPR. Medical Treatment Adults with LPR may experience a sour taste in Some people with LPR have acute episodes LPR treatment has been best studied with their throat, excess mucous, post nasal drip, of heartburn, or a sensation of increased PPI(Proton Pump Inhibitors) medications. intermittent hoarseness, a sore throat, or a feeling post-nasal drainage associated with mucous These medications prevent the production of something stuck in your throat. or phlegm. of acid in your stomach. Side effects with these medicines are rare but include How does it differ from gastric reflux? Diagnosis of LPR headache, upset stomach or diarrhea. If LPR and gastric reflux (GERD/heartburn) If you have symptoms of LPR, your you develop side effects, talk to your do not always occur together. While both Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor about switching to a different PPI. GERD and LPR involve reflux from the Physician) will first examine your throat and These medications are to be taken once or stomach, it is thought that the throat is more vocal cords with a rigid or flexible endoscope. twice daily and should be taken at least 30 sensitive to irritation or damage by acid. This examination will ensure you don’t have a minutes before your largest meal. They Less than 30% of people with LPR more worrisome condition causing your should be taken regularly for about a 6 experience heartburn and similarly not all symptoms. LPR causes your voice box to week period to assess if they are effective. patients with heartburn will experience LPR appear red and/or inflamed and frequently Examples of PPI medications include: symptoms. Furthermore, LPR is thought to LPR is diagnosed in this manner. Depending • Aciphex (rabeprazole) frequently occur at night when you are on your symptoms, your doctor may also • Nexium (esomeprazole) sleeping, when you are less likely to feel the recommend some other tests to diagnose • Prevacid (lansoprazole) symptoms of reflux. LPR. • Prilosec (omeprazole) Fortunately, studies suggest that patients Other tests to diagnose LPR with LPR do not frequently show the acid Your doctor may recommend you see a GI Will I need treatment forever? damage in the esophagus that GERD doctor or get a barium swallow test if there LPR symptoms may resolve with diet/lifestyle patients are prone to. are concerning features about your changes, medications, or both. If symptoms symptoms or findings. resolve, continue taking the medication until the symptoms have resolved completely before Who gets LPR? In select patients, 24 hour pH-metry or a pH trying to stop the medications. If the symptoms Women, men, infants, and children of all probe test can be helpful. This test involves recur, you should restart the medication. Some ages can experience LPR. Our experience placing a flexible probe (about the width of patients do have to take the medication forever. If you are taking the medications for more than suggests being overweight, having sleep cooked spaghetti) through the nose into the 6 months, consider taking a multivitamin with apnea or certain dietary and lifestyle habits back of your throat to measure acidity. This calcium. If your symptoms do not resolve, can increase your likelihood of having LPR. usually is reserved for patients who have return to see your doctor as you may need further evaluation. failed medical treatment for LPR.