Dr. Gokhan Guvener
Otorhinolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon, Acupuncturist
Tel: 07521 195818
http://www.drgokhanguvener.com
https://www.instagram.com/drgokhanguvener?
Symptoms such as sore throat, cough, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and a feeling of dryness in the throat may indicate underlying reflux.
–Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when stomach contents leak upwards into the esophagus. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (laryngeal reflux), on the other hand, occurs as a result of gastric contents reaching up the upper part of the esophagus and reaching the vocal cords and throat, irritating the structures here.
– Pain and tickling sensation in the throat, hoarseness, feeling the need to clean the throat frequently, unexplained repetitive cough, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes feeling stomach acid reaching the throat are among the most common findings.
– Normally, there are protective mechanisms between the throat cavity and the beginning of the esophagus and between the end of the esophagus and the stomach that prevent backflow. Disruptions in these mechanisms lead to the process leading to reflux.
– Obesity, nutritional disorders, smoking, hernia, wearing very tight clothes that put pressure on the abdomen can trigger reflux and increase its severity.
– The diagnosis is made by the patient’s complaints and examination findings. Especially in the simple examination with an endoscope for laryngopharyngeal reflux, signs of oedema and irritation in the posterior region of the vocal cords are typical. In some cases, methods such as digestive system endoscopy and measurement of acidity level may be necessary. Responding to the antireflux drugs given in a short time is also a valuable diagnostic method.
– As a precaution, food that will trigger the increase in “stomach acid and reflux” should be avoided. Carbonated and acidic drinks, alcohol, chocolate, fried foods, fatty and spicy foods, yeast pastry foods are not recommended. Smoking should be avoided, and excessive amounts of tea and coffee should not be consumed. It should be eaten in small portions and frequently, and alcohol should not be taken.
Eating and drinking should be stopped three hours before bedtime, and a position should be taken while lying down, keeping the head and shoulders higher.
Methods such as getting down to the ideal weight, regular walking, and sports, avoiding stress, avoiding tight clothing will also be useful.
– Apart from regulating nutrition and lifestyle, medications that reduce stomach acidity and prevent reflux provide relief for most patients when used regularly and for an appropriate time. Advanced examination methods should be applied in cases that cannot be controlled with medication and recurrent cases. Surgical treatment options should also be considered in necessary cases.
On Acupuncture and Otolaryngology 