What is Silent Reflux?

Silent Reflux is a condition resulting due to reflux or backed up stomach contents. Also known as LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux), it bears resemblance to GERD though its symptoms differ from the typical heartburn (burning feeling in the lower trunk region) symptoms of GERD. Due to this reason, it is tricky to identify and at times known as silent reflux.

Causes of Silent Reflux

The esophagus has a muscle ring on both ends which generally help in keeping down the stomach contents. However, due to silent reflux, the sphincters fail to function properly causing stomach acids in backing up all way to the pharynx (backside of throat) or larynx (voice box) or also reaching backside of the nasal air way. It could lead to unshielded regions exposed to gastric acid getting inflamed.

Silent reflux is prevalent among babies due to underdeveloped sphincters, having a smaller esophagus and their supine position at most occasions. The reason for silent reflux among adults might be unknown.

Symptoms of Silent Reflux

Symptoms among babies and kids might comprise of:

• Gruffness.
• Unceasing coughing or ‘barking’.
• Asthma.
• Noises audible during respiration or hiatus during breaths or apnea.
• Difficulties felt when the child is fed, spits up or inhales food.
• Difficulty trying to gain weight.

With silent reflux, adults might sense tart taste or burning feeling in the backside of the throat (heartburn). However, adults have lesser likelihood of having the typical GERD symptoms. Quite frequently, adults experience signs which are indistinct and could be mistaken for other conditions. The most prevalent symptoms comprise of:

• Excessively trying to clear throat.
• Unrelenting coughing.
• Croakiness.
• Lumpiness felt in the throat which fails to subside despite repetitive ingestion.
• A feeling of post-nasal drip or excessive mucus in the throat.
• Difficulty to swallow or/and breathe.
• Throat soreness.

Complications of Silent Reflux

Pooling up of stomach acid into the laryngeal and throat region could lead to long-standing irritation and harm and if not treated could be grave.

Among babies and kids, silent reflux could lead to:

• Constriction of the region beneath the vocal cords.
• Contact ulcer formations.
• Recurring ear infection that develop due to Eustachian tube functioning issues.
• Enduring accruement of mid-ear fluid.

Among adults, silent reflux could cause scarring in the larynx and throat and additionally increasing chances of cancer developing in those regions, affecting lungs and might aggravate conditions like bronchitis, asthma or emphysema.

Diagnosis of Silent Reflux

Though silent reflux is tricky in diagnosing as compared to GERD, a physician could detect it via a merger of medical past, physical examination and a single or more testing. Tests might comprise of:

• During an endoscopic examination, a pliable or firm observational device is used for peering into the vocal cords and throat.
• During pH monitoring procedure, a tiny catheter is introduced via the nostril inside the throat and esophageal area. The multiple sensors spot acid and a mini-comp donned on the waistline would record readings in a twenty-four time period.

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