Reflux laryngitis is the back flow of acid from the stomach into the voice box. The treatment of this condition is primarily medication with changes in lifestyle and surgery when the medical treatment is unsuccessful.
Prevention/Solution
Dietary changes include avoiding spicy and fried food, mint, chocolates, citrus fruits and tomatoes. Heavy dinner should be avoided and a gap of two to three hours should be left between dinner and lying down to sleep according to experts at the New York University Voice Center.
Lifestyle Changes
As per NYU Voice Center, if you have reflux laryngitis, stop smoking and give up caffeine and alcohol. If you are overweight, lose weight. Elevate your head while sleeping.
Medical Treatment
Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole and lansoprazole are the most effective drugs, as per Texas Voice Centre. These medicines reduce the production of acid. They are given for a period of three to six months.
Antacids like ranitidine and famotidine neutralize the stomach acid and ease the reflux.
Sucralfate protects and coats the lining of the stomach from the harmful acid.
Expert Insight
Proton pump inhibitors can be taken safely for years and are successful in controlling the reflux symptoms, according to the VoiceProblem.org website.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery called fundoplication is resorted to when medical treatment fails. In this procedure, a portion of the stomach is wrapped and sutured around the lower end of the esophagus. This strengthens the lower sphincter between the esophagus and stomach and helps in making it a better barrier to the reflux, according to the National Institutes of Health.
