Saliva Test for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)

Various groups have been developing a fast, cheap, non-invasive saliva swab test to determine whether laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is present or not. LPR may cause symptoms of: Hoarseness Chronic (ongoing) cough Frequent throat clearing Constant mucus or phelgm in the throat Dry or sandpaper like sensation in the throat Pain or burning sensation in the throat Feeling of a lump in the throat (globus pharyngeus) Problems swallowing Bad/bitter taste in the mouth (especially in m…

6/12/2012 1

Continue Reading

What is Considered a Normal Number of Reflux Episodes?

Depending on whether one is talking about GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or LPR (layrngopharyngeal reflux) , I believe the answer is completely different. As it pertains to GERD and what literature, doctor, or testing equipment is used, 73 plus or minus some change is what is considered a normal number of reflux episodes a typical adult may experience in a 24 hour period of time. What exactly does this number mean? This number describes how many times stuff in the stomach regurgit…

5/14/2011 0

Continue Reading

New Treatment Options for Non-Acidic Reflux (LPR)?

It just came to my attention through anecdotal reports that there may be two additional options to treat non-acidic laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) causing symptoms of: • Hoarseness • Throat clearing • Phlegmy throat • Cough • Globus (sense of swelling in the throat) Non-acidic reflux is different from the more widely known acid reflux in that traditional medications such as prilosec, zantac, pepcid, etc do not help. Non-acidic reflux basically is when gastric secretions without ac…

12/13/2009 14

Continue Reading

Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance (MII) Testing for Non-Acidic Reflux

Image by Wikipedia As far as we know,  Virginia Hospital Center's Heartburn Center in Arlington, VA and now Fauquier Hospital are the only places in Northern Virginia that offers 24 hour Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance (MII) testing to look for non-acidic reflux. Oftentimes, this test is combined with pH probe testing and manometry to measure the more traditional acid reflux as well as esophageal motility. MII testing is extremely important to evaluate those patients with persis…

12/07/2008 0

Continue Reading