Laryngopharyngeal reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux
Other namesExtraesophageal reflux disease (EERD), Silent reflux, and Supra-esophageal reflux
Sagittal illustration of the anterior portion of the human head and neck. In LPR, the pharynx (1), oropharynx (2) and larynx (3) are exposed to gastric contents that flow upward through the esophagus (4).
SpecialtyGastroenterology

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) or laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the larynx, oropharynx and/or the nasopharynx. LPR causes respiratory symptoms such as cough and wheezing and is often associated with head and neck complaints such as dysphonia, globus pharyngeus, and dysphagia. LPR may play a role in other diseases, such as sinusitis, otitis media, and rhinitis, and can be a comorbidity of asthma. While LPR is commonly used interchangeably with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it presents with a different pathophysiology.

LPR reportedly affects approximately 10% of the U.S. population. However, LPR occurs in as many as 50% of individuals with voice disorders.

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