Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LRP) and your Voice
Voice therapists (speech therapist specialised in working with voice disorders) are health professionals who work with disorders of the upper airways and voice disorders. Sometimes cooccurring, they are a lot more common than one might think.
I've recently been researching more and more about the impact of reflux on the voice and it is a topic that really interests me. Not only because it affects so many of my patients but also because it amazes me how such a 'small' symptom can have such a 'big' impact on the person.
It can impact physically (change in voice quality, sore or achy throat) and also psychologically (increased stress when conscious of voice changes, unable to talk in a noisy environment when out with friends, constant strain and weakness in the throat).
I thought I would drop some facts here which really talk for themselves.
Firstly what is LPR?
LPR is the back flow of gastric contents into the laryngopharynx (the part of your throat where both food and air passes) where it comes in contact with the tissues of the upper aerodigestive tract (lips, mouth, tongue, nose, throat, vocal cords and part of the oesophagus and windpipe).
“The major etiologic factor for hoarseness of more than 3 months duration”
“It is present in up to 50% of patients with voice disorders”
How does it present itself?
The most common symptoms reported in one study were globus sensation (the feeling of something in your throat), throat clearing and voice disorders such as hoarseness.
Voice therapists
We play an important role in treating people presenting with LPR and voice disorders. There are various things that we address.
Firstly we educate, because knowledge is power and once you understand what is happening you can then move on to doing something about it.
Next we discuss ways in which you can reduce the symptoms, this is very individual to the person.
Then we help you to implement strategies that will maintain a healthier larynx.
We can work to improve the quality of the voice through therapy exercises if your voice has started to sound different and needs a reset.
Lastly, we can refer you on to other health care professionals as needed.
The more I understand about LPR the more I become passionate about helping people to deal with it. Because help is out there and people do not have to suffer in silence. Sometime if you have been told otherwise by a health care professional you might think this is it - there is no cure - and this is not right. If you think you have symptoms of reflux or LPR be sure to speak to your GP and ask for an ENT assessment. This would be the first point of call to assess the state of the larynx and the involvement of the vocal cords and surrounding areas. Then, a voice therapist will be happy to work with you.
Here at VC Speech Therapy we offer virtual consultations and therapy for people with a voice disorder. Have a look at our services page here or contact us on info@vcspeechtherapy.com for more information.
References
- Belafsky PC, Postma GN, Koufman JA. Validity and reliability of the reflux symptom index (RSI). J Voice. 2002 Jun;16(2):274-7.
- Book DT, Rhee JS, Toohill RJ, Smith TL. Perspectives in laryngopharyngeal reflux: an international survey. Laryngoscope. 2002 Aug; 112(8 Pt 1):1399-406.
- Koufman JA, Aviv JE, Casiano RR, Shaw GY. Laryngopharyngeal reflux: position statement of the committee on speech, voice, and swallowing disorders of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;127(1):32–5.
- Lechien JR, Huet K, Khalife M, et al. Impact of laryngopharyngeal reflux on subjective and objective voice assessments: a prospective study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016;45(1):59. Published 2016 Nov 8.
- Ozturk O, Oz F, Karakullukcu B, Oghan F, Guclu E, Ada M Eur Arch. Hoarseness and laryngopharyngeal reflux: a cause and effect relationship or coincidence? Otorhinolaryngol. 2006 Oct; 263(10):935-9.
