Here is what an ear, nose and throat doctor recommends for the relief of LPR symptoms.
LPR causes an assortment of symptoms, and in some patients, this condition can be chronic, frequent, sporadic or something that has happened just a few times—as was the case with me.
LPR Treatments for Relief
For those with the ongoing or frequent symptoms (such as the lump in the throat feeling, difficulty inhaling and constant coughing), “You can start by cutting out acidic foods in your diet, elevating the head of bed when you sleep at night and avoiding eating three hours before bedtime,” explains Dr. Stacey Silvers, MD, of Madison ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in NYC.
Dr. Silvers is board certified in otolaryngology—the specialty of the ears, nose and throat. ENT physicians work a lot with patients who have LPR (laryngeal pharyngeal reflux).
Acidic foods include:
Corn, blueberries, bread and any other white-flour-based food like pasta, oatmeal, rice, wheat, beans (black, pinto, red), butter, cheese, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, beef, pork, salmon, cod, tuna, turkey, lamb, canola oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, sugar, soda, wine, cocoa, pepper, coffee and vinegar.
Alkalizing foods include:
Green beans, cruciferous vegetables, carrots, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, apples, bananas, grapes, lemons, oranges, peaches, grapefruit, strawberries, watermelon, almonds, whey protein powder and millet.
As you can see, cutting back on acidic foods won’t be easy, but try it for 30 days and see if it provides relief of your LPR symptoms.
What if cutting down or out on acidic foods, and not eating three hours prior to sleep, don’t help with LPR symptoms?
“If this alone does not manage your symptoms then a trial of an OTC reflux medication may help, taken first thing when you wake up,” says Dr. Silvers.
“Follow up with your doctor if symptoms persist or you become dependent on medication for symptom resolution.
“When you have these symptoms and you are frustrated with misdiagnosis, ask your ENT if you have ‘silent’ reflux.
“The proper diagnosis and treatment can be very helpful and life changing for many.”
An NYC expert in ear, nose and throat care, Dr. Silvers has been named among America’s Top Physicians and Surgeons in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology numerous times since 2003.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
