Yes, Gaviscon (especially Gaviscon Advance with alginate) is often recommended for silent reflux (LPR) as its active ingredient forms a protective barrier or "raft" in the stomach, preventing stomach contents, including acid and enzymes, from rising into the throat. It's frequently used as part of treatment, often taken after meals and before bed, sometimes alongside or even instead of acid-reducing medications like PPIs for some patients.
Use antacids (such as Tums® or Rolaids®) liberally ½ hour after meals (2 tablets) or ½ hour before singing or exercising. Some patients may require a second class of medications (H2-blockers) to help control nighttime symptoms.
How is Silent Reflux treated? Antacid medications which also contain alginate (such as Gaviscon Advance) are very helpful.
Evidence also suggests that GERD can lead to sinus problems in some cases. If sinus inflammation develops, it can cause symptoms, such as a headache, facial pain, and a cough. Sinus issues may also cause sensitive eyes and swelling of the eyelids.
Take 10ml of Gavascon Advance after meals and last thing at night. Continue to take 10ml of Gaviscon Advance for at least 2 weeks after stopping PPI. This is to reduce the chance of rebound symptoms. After 2 weeks, Gaviscon Advance may be taken at night on a long-term basis.
Medications for silent reflux include: Proton Pump Inhibitor: To control the reflux, your ENT may prescribe a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI). This type of LPR medication stops the production of acid in the stomach.
Do not take Gaviscon within 2 hours before or after taking:
Globus sensation, chronic throat clearing and gravelly voice are the three most common presenting symptoms of silent reflux. Chronic throat pain, the sensation of choking as well as chronic cough, may also be frequently experienced.
While not caused directly by reflux, bloating can be associated with reflux symptoms especially when belching is involved. Patients describe “gassiness”, or abdominal discomfort, usually after eating and in some cases bloating can become severe enough that it produces a perceptible swelling of the abdomen.
Most of the LPR patients complained of ocular discomfort symptoms, including itching (38%), redness (56%), or foreign body sensation (40%). Tear pepsin levels were significantly correlated with the severity of LPR disease and with ocular surface changes.
Living With
8 People often have breakthrough acid reflux symptoms if they do not take their PPIs correctly. Talk to a healthcare provider if taking PPIs 30 minutes before your first meal does not help. You may need a second dose, taken 30 minutes before dinner.
In LPR, the pharynx (1), oropharynx (2) and larynx (3) are exposed to gastric contents that flow upward through the esophagus (4). LPR reportedly affects approximately 10% of the U.S. population. However, LPR occurs in as many as 50% of individuals with voice disorders.
The addition of antacids, such as Gaviscon, has been shown to have an added benefit in treating LPR. Gaviscon should be taken after breakfast and before going to sleep. When ceasing the medication patients often feel fine for 1 to 3 weeks and then notice a gradual return of symptoms.
The specialist who most often treats people with LPR is the Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat Physician). If your doctor thinks that you could have LPR, he or she will probably perform a throat exam first and look at the voice box and the lower throat.
If left untreated, silent reflux can lead to serious complications, including chronic cough, recurrent laryngitis, oral cavity disorders, and respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia, sinusitis, asthma, and laryngeal cancer.
Hoarseness / problems with your voice • Throat clearing • Too much mucous / phlegm in the throat • Difficulty swallowing • A feeling of a lump or something 'stuck' in the throat • Irritable cough • Choking episodes, mostly at night • Breathing difficulties • Sore throats • Burning /dryness in the throat Page 4 ...
Heartburn and indigestion are symptoms of pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen or chest. They often result from overeating, eating high fat meals or being overweight. Symptoms typically occur after meals. Dyspepsia is commonly accompanied by belching and feeling bloated or sick.
Testing for Silent Reflux or LPR
The two most common tests for LPR are (1) pH monitoring, also called pH-metry, and (2) barium swallow. These two tests are different, and it is common to have both tests done. The barium swallow is an xray test in which you must swallow chalky material that can be seen on the xrays.
But, in many cases, lifestyle factors such as being overweight, smoking and consuming too much alcohol and caffeine are probable causes. Dietary factors may also play an important role and spicy or fatty foods, chocolate and citrus juice are frequently reported as contributing to symptoms of silent reflux.
This association with laryngeal symptoms and worsening QOL measures suggests that LPR imparts a greater burden on QOL than GERD [26].
Although Gaviscon® can be taken anytime you have acid reflux or heartburn, it's best to avoid taking Gaviscon® before a meal. Since it forms a foam barrier that sits on top of stomach acid, the food passing through the esophagus (throat) into the stomach can disrupt this barrier and compromise its effectiveness.
Yes, acid reflux (GERD) can cause headaches, including tension headaches or migraines, due to the gut-brain connection, nerve irritation (like the vagus nerve), stress, or shared triggers like certain foods, potentially creating dull pain, a tight band feeling, or sinus-like pressure. While not a primary symptom, the discomfort from reflux can trigger stress and muscle tension, leading to headaches, and treating the underlying reflux often helps the headaches too.
If you often have heartburn or indigestion, you can take Gaviscon up to 4 times a day. The best time to take it is after meals and at bedtime, whether you have symptoms or not.