Symptoms of Silent Reflux
The most common symptom of silent reflux is a persistent, chronic dry cough, often accompanied by a feeling of ‘something in the throat.’ The cough is often diagnosed as post-nasal drip caused by an allergy. Treatment is likely to be an antihistamine or nasal decongestant to dry up the post nasal drip. If the cough is caused by acid reflux, the antihistamines and nasal decongestants will not make the cough go away.
In actuality, the cough is caused by refluxed material that comes up into the esophagus. This causes the sensation of needing to cough. The reason there is no heartburn is because the refluxed material does not stay in the esophagus long enough to burn it. So the best treatment is a change of diet.
Diagnosing Silent Reflux
When the general health practitioner realizes that treating the cough as an allergy is ineffective, the next step is to see an ear/nose/throat specialist. He will examine the throat, voice box and lower throat. This is accomplished by inserting a small, flexible tube into the nose, which goes down into the throat. The procedure takes about 20 seconds and, other than a small amount of a minor burning sensation, is pain free.
Medications for Silent Reflux
Once silent reflux has been determined, the doctor will most likely prescribe and antacid. The most common medications will be acid reducers. Over the counter antacids may offer some relief. A cough suppressant may relieve the cough temporarily but will not address the base cause for the cough, which is acid reflux.
Lung Doctors and Silent Reflux
After seeing an ear/nose/throat specialist and receiving a diagnosis of silent reflux, it may be advisable to seek a second opinion from a lung specialist, just to be sure the cough is not being caused by something else. The doctor will order an x-ray of the lungs. Breathing tests will be administered, which are painless. The patient is seated in a sealed, clear glass box. This box is completely clear so there is not sensation of claustrophobia. The patient will be asked to breathe in various ways, sometimes normally, sometimes forced, and sometimes into a tube.
If all the tests show no evidence of any other cause of coughing, the lung specialist will likely diagnose silent reflux, and prescribe the same medications as the ear/notes/throat specialist. After all the tests and diagnosis, if the patient would prefer to avoid medication, there are some changes in diet that may offer relief.
Diet For Silent Reflux
After all the tests and diagnosis, if the patient would prefer to avoid medication, there are some changes in diet that may offer relief. There are many foods that should be avoided in order to reduce acid reflux. These include:
- Coffee and Tea
- Chocolate
- Citrus Fruits and Juices
- Tomatoes and tomato based sauces
- Spicy Foods
- Fried Foods
- Fatty Foods
- Mustard
- Vinegar
- Carbonated Beverages
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Any foods that cause distress
- Mint Products
- Do not overeat
There are also some proactive strategies to help improve silent reflux such as drinking more water, not eating several hours before going to sleep, and propping the head up for sleeping.
Further Tests and Treatments for Silent Reflux
If antacid medications and/or a change of diet do not reduce the incidents of silent reflux, the doctor may order pH-monitoring. PH-monitoring involves having a small, flexible tube inserted through the nose down into the throat. The tube remains in the throat for 24-hours, and measures the amount of acid in the esophagus.
A barium xray will also likely be ordered by the physician. This involves swallowing a chalky fluid that can be seen on xrays. This will allow the xray to show abnormalities in the throat and esophagus.
Silent reflux may be experienced for life, or only for brief or even extended periods. It can be easily controlled with medication and/or diet, and need not cause the patient long-term problems.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources:
Midwest Ear Nose and Throat
Robin Egerton - Robin is new to the free-lance scene. She started her homeschooling blog in January of 2010, walking "Newbies" through the beginning ...
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