silent reflux?

[LKUK]

I’ve recently been told by my respiratory consultant that I have silent reflux. Does anyone know much about this? I’m on lanzoporole along with flec and dilitzum. I have PAF and in the last year my life long asthma has deteriorated to now be severe. I was very ill over the winter with 3.5 months off work and in A&E five times. Five courses of oral steroids and six lots of antibiotics. One episode of AF triggered by coming off the steroids I think. My asthma meds have recently been changed and I am feeling much better. But I want to get on top of the silent reflux.

[bean_counter27]

It's a type of acid reflux i.e. stomach acid/contents backup into the throat and vocal chords. I presume they call it 'silent' because I don't feel burning like heartburn. When I have it I usually notice minor irritation at back of throat and when it's bad, my voice goes croaky. I feel the croaky voice but the people I talk to rarely notice it. I'm on omeprazole for it but it doesn't fully eliminate so I also use Mylanta tablets occasionally to deal with episodes. Has your respiratory consultant said whether your reflux and asthma might be related?

There's an Acid Reflux community in HealthUnlocked if you're looking for reflux specific advice. I haven't ventured there but expect it will be as helpful as this community is for AF.

Good luck

[Pommerania78]

What is your diet?

[Ppiman]

I have heard about this. I have normal reflux and take esomeprazole which works well. I wish I didn't need the PPI as there are always questions over long term drugs.

I have read that reflux can occur not just as a back flow of acid into the oesophagus, but as a kind of acidic mist or aerosol that can rise into the mouth to be inhaled and can then spark off a husky voice or even, in prone individuals, sthma and the like.

Also, sometimes even with PPIs suppressing acid, I gather that there can be, sometimes, a similar reflux of corrosive digestive enzymes, mainly pepsin, from the stomach. Perhaps you have something like one of these? Both will be caused by a weakened cardiac (i.e. stomach) sphincter, which allows the stomach contents to be where they shouldn't. Quite why people with this don't feel the heartburn is always a surprise to me but might be for the reasons I mentioned?

Steve