Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Talk about stomach acid ride or turn (acid reflux), generally people immediately think gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). GERD is characterized by a burning sensation or heartburn and discomfort in the chest. But acid reflux is not just a matter of GERD, sometimes people don’t realize they have laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).
Unlike GERD, LPR tends to produce subtle symptoms that have earned it the nickname ‘silent reflux.’ It’s just that LPR should not be underestimated, because the effects can be fatal.
Launching from WebMDAt both ends of the esophagus there is a ring of muscle (sphincter). This muscle keeps the contents of the stomach in place. Once there is an LPR condition, the sphincter does not work properly. Stomach acid rises to the back of the throat (pharynx) or voice box (larynx) or even to the back of the nasal airways. As a result, inflammation occurs in the area exposed to stomach acid.
Silent reflux often occurs in infants because the sphincter is not fully developed, the esophagus is short and often lies down. While in adults, the cause is not known for sure. However, as reported by Healthline, there are a number of risk factors such as lifestyle (diet, overeating, smoking), physical conditions (sphincter malfunction, excessive weight), and pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of silent reflux?
1. It’s hard to sleep well
Clark A. Rosen, director of the division of langingology at the University of California San Francisco Health, says when you sleep at night, stomach acid can back up into your esophagus and stimulate sensors in the lining of your throat. As a result, the acid irritates the throat, causing breathing problems and throat spasms. Of course this automatically makes you often wake up and sleep so less quality.
What are the triggers?
Launching from Livestrong, acid reflux is easy to occur because of the lying position. In this position, the stomach and throat are aligned so that the acid flows easily. Then the esophageal sphincter muscle can also be weak or not close tightly.
In addition, you eat a large dinner before bed, alcohol consumption relaxes the valve that separates the stomach and throat.
2. Sore throat and hoarseness
The stomach acid that rises will burn the smooth lining of the throat, causing a burning sensation. In addition, the voice tends to be hoarse because the vocal cords are swollen or irritated due to exposure to acid.
3. Coughing and wheezing
Stomach acid is indeed a digestive problem but because of the interaction with the throat, people who experience silent reflux may experience respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing (breath sounds like a high note).
However, research has found that respiratory symptoms can still occur even if stomach acid does not reach the throat. Acid at the bottom of the esophagus can cause the airways in the lungs (bronchioles) to narrow like an asthma attack.
4. Difficulty swallowing
Starting to have difficulty swallowing? It is very likely that you have silent reflux. When stomach acid touches the throat and esophagus, it causes inflammation and irritation of the lining of the swallowing passages and throat.
5. Lump in throat
Silent reflux conditions slowly cause a sensation like a foreign object is stuck in the throat. This is not because the food has not been swallowed completely but there is a lump due to exposure to stomach acid.
See how to control silent reflux on the following page.
