Silent Reflux

What is Silent Reflux?

Silent Reflux happens when your stomach contents (refluxate) travel back up the food pipe (oesophagus) and right up into the back of the throat (pharynx) and the tissues around the voice box (larynx).

Silent reflux can cause some uncomfortable symptoms like:

Persistent dry cough

Constant throat clearing

Sensation of a lump in the throat

Thick mucus at the back of the throat

Hoarseness and voice changes

Lots of people with Silent Reflux don’t realise they have it. And it can get missed by health professionals. That’s because Silent Reflux symptoms:

Crossover with symptoms of other conditions like colds or allergies.
Don’t match the more well-known forms of reflux.

1 in 5 people have some form of gastric reflux. And about half of the people with gastric reflux have both Silent Reflux and GORD.

What’s the difference between Silent Reflux and GORD?

Reflux has two distinct forms:

Comparing the symptoms of Silent Reflux and GERD/GORD
A Definite Contrast!

Silent Reflux Symptoms

Breaches upper oesophageal sphincter
Hoarseness, globus, thick mucus, postnasal drip and throat pain due to inflammation
Symptoms are worse when upright
Patient usually deny heartburn and reflux
Not associated with obesity

GERD/GORD Symptoms

Breaches only lower oesophageal sphincter
Acid reflux, heartburn and chest pain, only occasional throat pain symptoms
Symptoms are worse when lying down
Patient report heartburn and reflux
Associations found with obesity

Silent Reflux Symptoms

Breaches upper oesophageal sphincter
Hoarseness, globus, thick mucus, postnasal drip and throat pain due to inflammation
Symptoms are worse when upright
Patient usually deny heartburn and reflux
Not associated with obesity

GERD/GORD Symptoms

Breaches only lower oesophageal sphincter
Acid reflux, heartburn and chest pain, only occasional throat pain symptoms
Symptoms are worse when lying down
Patient report heartburn and reflux
Associations found with obesity

Where to buy

What causes Silent Reflux?

The exact cause of Silent Reflux is not yet fully understood. But experts know that the stomach contents contain chemicals (acids, bile and enzymes) that can cause damage to tissues lining the mouth, throat and upper airways.

Your stomach contents are usually stopped from going back up the food pipe by a tight band of muscle between the food pipe and stomach (the lower oesophageal sphincter).

Sometimes, this band of muscle relaxes at the wrong moment or does not function as it is meant to and allows stomach contents (refluxate) to go right back up the food pipe.

How does the band of muscle at the top of the food pipe contribute to Silent Reflux ?

There’s another band of muscle at the top of the food pipe, that can also squeeze tight to stop any stomach contents from reaching the throat or mouth. This is called the upper oesophageal sphincter.

This can cause the various symptoms of Silent Reflux.

How to manage symptoms  of Silent Reflux?

Lifestyle changes can help reduce the severity and frequency of Silent Reflux symptoms. These include things like:

Increase fibre (vegetables and fruit) in the diet
Avoid spicy foods, alcohol and large meals at least 3 hours before lying down
Reduce coffee, tea and chocolate
Elevate the head of the bed
Avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting
Weight reduction and regular exercise

Some products — like alginates, antacids and acid reducers — can be helpful for heartburn and indigestion.

But people with LPR (silent reflux) alone may need other strategies to help with the uncomfortable symptoms.

Ask your pharmacist about LARRI Oral Spray today