Did You Know!
Acid Reflux Doesn’t Always Cause Heartburn
The Lesser-Known Condition Called “Silent Reflux”
Most people associate acid reflux with a burning sensation in the chest. But there’s another form—called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), often referred to as silent reflux—that may occur without any heartburn at all. Instead of mainly irritating the esophagus, stomach contents reach the throat and voice box, causing a very different set of symptoms.
Common symptoms include:
- Chronic cough
- Constant throat clearing
- Hoarseness
- Feeling like something is stuck in your throat
- Frequent sore throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excess mucus or postnasal drip
- A bitter taste in the mouth
- Voice fatigue after talking
Many people spend months—or even years—seeing allergy or asthma specialists before discovering that acid reflux is the underlying cause because they never experience classic heartburn.
Why it happens
The tissues in your throat and voice box are much more sensitive than the lining of your esophagus. Even small amounts of stomach acid or digestive enzymes can irritate these delicate tissues.
