One thing I haven't really researched was the fact that throughout the past year, I have had a lot of problems with my throat. For example, while teaching, which requires me to talk for long periods of time, I would begin to cough and occasionally, I would lose my voice altogether.
LPR (inflammation of the laryngeal and pharyngeal mucosa), which is similar to GERD, is sometimes referred to as a "silent condition", although there is nothing silent about it!
My symptoms include: chronic coughing, throat-clearing, interrupted sleep due to either a choking sensation or sometimes even a very dry mouth despite the thick mucus and what feels like a post nasal drip...I sound like someone who was a chronic smoker although I have never been one and have done the best I can to avoid being around them.
Here's what it looks like:
Here's Dr. Oz explaining what causes "acid reflux":
The most irritating part of the whole thing is that my voice sometimes either changes suddenly or seems to just fade away and...
I can't sing anymore.
My throat has been more inflamed lately. Sore most of the time...and I suspect it has to do with the diet I have been trying to maintain.
I quite literally told myself that my weight caused the LPR (which it did) so it is more important for me to lose the weight than to worry about the doctor's advice about how to control the reflux.
WRONG!
EVERYTHING seems to aggravate my reflux...
bananas
tomatoes
citrus fruits
dairy products
chocolate
cocoa
greasy foods
peppermint
coffee
tea
and ALL soft drinks that contain caffeine (colas)
and, of course alcohol to name a few.
According to the Voice and Swallowing Institute of New York, they have been shown to either decrease the effectiveness of the valve mechanism separating the esophagus and the stomach or trigger acid production.
Furthermore, lying down after meals is a BIG NO NO! It is suggested that one stands, walks and avoids lying down for at least two hours after eating.
No "bedtime snacks"
No milk before bedtime because it increases the gastric secretion after one goes to bed. This causes MORE acid which could include reflux.
So, in my case...
1. lose weight
2. eat smaller meals, more frequently
3. do not lay down after (or during) eating
4. elevate the head of my bed with 4 inch blocks
5. do not sleep with extra pillows (bummer!) because it increases the pressure in the abdomen and cause more reflux.
6. no stomach sleeping or sleeping on my right side because this facilitates reflux of gastric contents.
7. keep taking my stomach medicine
If not, I could develop severe symptoms such as cysts and granulomas:
Vocal Process Granuloma Removal by Using Laryngeal Snare
Dr. Oz did the BEST job, in my opinion, of showing me why it is important to lose weight...
IF this doesn't scare me straight, then I don't know what will.
