Silent Reflux - a simple test reveals all
Silent Reflux, also known as Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, is an increasing health concern, with possibly 30% of the UK population affected to a greater or lesser extent. It is termed ‘silent reflux as many people don’t recognise it because they don’t experie
The three most common symptoms are a gravelly voice, chronic throat clearing and a feeling of a lump or tightness in the throat. Other symptoms may include an irritable dry cough, mucus in your throat, a drip down the back of your nose, difficulty swallowing, having trouble breathing or choking episodes. The good news is that now it can be easily diagnosed by an ENT surgeon in clinic using an extremely thin flexible camera which is inserted through the nose, without any need for sedation. Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals are on hand to treat this without delay.
Left untreated silent reflux can lead to other throat-related problems such as vocal cord ulcers, it can exacerbate chronic sinusitis and contribute to the development of laryngeal cancer. The ENT surgeon will review your history, do a physical examination and may examine your larynx using a flexible nasendoscopy. This can quickly detect evidence of tissue damage, inflammation or swelling in the throat and voicebox due to silent reflux.
Consultant ENT surgeon at Nuffield Health Cardiff and
Vale Hospitals, Mr Ali Al-Hussaini explains, “Silent reflux is the backflow of the stomach contents up into the food pipe and all the way up to the throat and voice box. It can occur during the daytime or at night, even if the person hasn’t eaten anything. Treatment is individualised to the patient and this may include making lifestyle and dietary changes to a more bland diet, using medication to reduce stomach acid and help stop stomach contents leaking back up the food pipe into the throat.
Very rarely, where the latter is ineffective, surgery might be needed to tighten the valve between the stomach and the food pipe. Depending on the individual, it is possible to have a total recovery from this condition.”
Required dietary changes include eating smaller meals more regularly, eating slowly and chewing each mouthful properly, drinking water and decaffeinated beverages, limiting alcohol intake, stopping smoking, eating a low fat diet and natural yoghurts.
Reduce or avoid acidic foods such as tomatoes, all citrus fruits, dairy, caffeine or carbonated drinks. A key piece of advice is to stop eating at least three hours before going to bed. You can also elevate the head of the bed by using pillows under the mattress.
On Wednesday March 10th there is a free virtual patient event “Let’s talk ENT problems” at 6.45pm with Mr Al-Hussaini.
For more information or to book a place, please ring 02920 836714 or select ENT at the following link: https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/ hospitals/cardiff-and-vale/ treatments.