Reflux pharyngitis without reflux symptoms

        Reflux pharyngitis, also known as laryngeal reflux (LPR), has a very high incidence in the population and can account for up to 10% of all patients seen in ENT clinics and 50% of patients with hoarseness.  There are two mechanisms by which GERD causes chronic pharyngitis: 1. Direct irritation: The refluxed acid directly irritates the pharyngeal mucosa causing injury and complaints of discomfort.  2. Vagal reflex: The refluxed material can stimulate the distal esophagus and cause vagal reflex, which triggers chronic coughing and throat clearing that can cause damage to the mucosa of the vocal cords, as well as the relaxation reflex of the upper esophageal sphincter, which allows the refluxed material to enter the pharynx and cause damage.  According to the pathogenesis, it is easy to understand why some patients with pharyngeal reflux are not accompanied by typical symptoms of GERD such as acid reflux and heartburn. Therefore, for some patients with chronic pharyngitis, recurrent episodes and poor symptomatic treatment, the possibility of GERD triggering cannot be excluded, even if there are no reflux symptoms.