Mary Es Beaver
Texas Center for Voice and Swallowing, USA
Title: Extraesophageal reflux testing and treatment
Biography
Biography: Mary Es Beaver
Abstract
Hoarseness, throat clearing, chronic cough, globus, and sore throat have been considered to be symptoms of extraesophageal reflux when inflammation of the larynx and trachea is noted on laryngoscopy or upper endoscopy. Many of the patients that present with these symptoms have no other symptoms of reflux such as heartburn or regurgitation. In the US, 10% of ENT clinic visits are patients with symptoms of hoarseness, throat clearing or cough that have lasted more than 6 weeks, and 79% of the time such patients are started on proton pump inhibitors as first line therapy without any diagnostic testing. However, randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that PPI’s are no better than placebo at treating the above symptoms, and studies using impedance pH testing or pharyngeal testing have concluded that reflux is present in less than half of the cases of chronic laryngeal and tracheal inflammation. Additionally, chronic high dose PPI use may increase risk of fractures in adults and young adults. This address will examine causes of chronic upper airway inflammation and suggest protocol for testing and treatment. \\\\r\\\\n\\\\r\\\\n