Could Your Sore Throat Be Silent Reflux? 4 Symptoms a Doctor Wants Women Over 50 To Know
Discover who's most at risk and how you can prevent flare-ups with simple lifestyle tweaks
You’ve just finished your favorite spicy meal when you notice your voice suddenly sounds hoarse. You don’t have a fever or feel a cold coming on—and there’s no telltale chest burn of acid reflux. So what’s going on? It could be laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), often called “silent reflux” because it doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms. We spoke with an expert about what silent reflux is, how to spot the symptoms and why women over 50 should pay special attention to this sneaky condition.
What is silent reflux?
Laryngopharyngeal reflux occurs when substances from the stomach, such as acid, enzymes and bile, travel back up into the throat and larynx, explains Brynna Connor, MD, Healthcare Ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com.
So how exactly does silent reflux differ from heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? All involve stomach contents flowing up through the esophagus, and GERD is when the problem becomes chronic and occurs several times per week. That said, the location of irritation and the symptoms of each condition differ.
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Silent reflux symptoms to watch for
“In patients with silent reflux, the acid flows back into the larynx and throat without causing the traditional heartburn symptoms, which is why it can be missed,” says Dr. Connor. “Many patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux/silent reflux don’t experience any burning at all.”
So what do they experience? Dr. Connor says silent reflux symptoms include:
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- A feeling of something stuck in the throat (known as a globus sensation)
- Chronic cough
What causes silent reflux?
Silent reflux happens when there’s weakness or dysfunction in the lower or upper esophageal sphincters, or small muscle valves between the throat and stomach that help keep acid from rising back up into the throat, says Dr. Connor.
Risk factors can include:
- Increased abdominal pressure from weight gain or tight clothing
- Delayed stomach emptying, which Dr. Connor says is often seen in people using GLP-1 medications, since they slow how quickly food leaves the stomach
- Dietary triggers such as acidic, fatty or spicy foods
- Hormonal changes, especially during perimenopause and menopause, which can relax these muscles
- Chronic stress, which can worsen reflux symptoms
Why women over 50 should pay attention to silent reflux
While silent reflux can happen at any age, women over 50 are at higher risk of developing the condition.
Dr. Connor says several factors contribute to this increased risk, including a drop in estrogen and shifting progesterone levels, slower digestion and delayed stomach emptying with age and age-related weight gain.
“It’s also important to note that as tissue in the throat becomes thinner and more sensitive as we age, symptoms of silent reflux can become more prominent,” adds Dr. Connor.
What to do if you think you have laryngopharyngeal reflux
If you’re experiencing symptoms that could be associated with silent reflux, you’ll want to visit your doctor. The condition is typically diagnosed by an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT), who might perform a fiberoptic laryngoscopy (a painless procedure that uses a tiny camera to look in your throat) or order a 24-hour pH monitoring test (to check your acid levels), among other screenings and a comprehensive review of your medical history.
They can confirm a diagnosis and recommend treatment options, including medications like acid suppressants, such as proton pump inhibitors, which reduce how much acid the stomach produces, or alginates, which create a protective layer to help keep acid from rising, Dr. Connor explains.
3 tips to help prevent silent reflux
Outside of medication to manage the condition, there are also lifestyle changes you can make at home to lower your risk of a flare-up. Dr. Connor says these include:
Switch up your meal timing
Dr. Connor recommends eating your last meal two to three hours before lying down or going to bed. “This allows time for the stomach to empty, reducing the amount of acid available to flow back up into the throat. It also uses gravity to keep stomach contents down,” says Dr. Connor.
Also smart: Elevate your head with an extra pillow when you sleep to help keep irritating stomach acid from creeping up your esophagus.
Scale back on trigger foods
Dr. Connor recommends limiting caffeine, alcohol, fatty and spicy foods and chocolate, as these can irritate the stomach lining and increase silent reflux risk.
“While caffeine and alcohol should only be consumed in moderation, if you’re not sure which foods could be a trigger, you can try an elimination diet and eliminate each category on its own to gain a better understanding of how they could be contributing to the reflux symptoms,” adds Dr. Connor.
Maintain a healthy weight
Dr. Connor says losing weight (if you need to) can help lower pressure on the stomach, which may reduce the likelihood of silent reflux.
The bottom line: By understanding what silent reflux is and taking simple steps to manage it, you can protect your throat health and feel your best.
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