Raw greens, uncooked vegetables – as these tend to prolong gastric digestion.relax the upper & lower oesophageal sphincter, increase the secretion of acid & pepsin, and increase digestion time and thus potentially increase reflux.asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflower, green beans, turnip, parsley, tofu. proteins – lean meats, fresh fish, egg whites.

Alkaline water, Apple/Pear/Banana Juice, chamomile tea Increase the tone of the upper & lower oesophageal sphincter, moderate the secretion of acid & pepsin, and decrease digestion time.If possible, avoid the following drugs:.Elevate the head of your bed by 10-15 cm – esp.Have your main meal at lunch, instead of dinner.Avoid eating or drinking within 2-3 hours of bed time.

What dietary and lifestyle changes can be made to improve GORD and LPRD? Dietary and lifestyle changes are the mainstay of treatment.What are the treatment options for GORD and LPRD? If the test is negative, there is a chance it is falsely negative, and if symptoms and suspicion of LPRD persist, referral for the gold standard pH impedance testing.If the test is positive, the patient is highly likely to have LPRD.This test can be considered a useful screening test in patients where a diagnosis of LPRD is considered.Oral salivary pepsin testing – which tests a patient’s saliva for the presence of pepsin, an enzyme only produced and secreted in the stomach.This test is considered the ‘gold standard’ test for the diagnosis of GORD and LPRD.24 hour Oesophageal +/- Pharyngeal pH & impedance probe testing – which tests for the reflux of liquids up the oesophagus and into the pharynx, and also measures the acidity (pH), of those liquids.Increasingly these days, patients may undergo objective testing such as:.Additional tests may be undertaken such as a nasal endoscopic examination, though the findings on examination can often be due to non-reflux related causes, and so, are non-specific.GORD & LPRD can be diagnosed on history, examination and by the patient’s response to treatment with medication.Read information about Melbourne Swallow Analysis Centre Read information about Melbourne Voice Analysis Centre Rarely breathing difficulties can occur if the voice box is affected.Sometimes, they may complain of discomfort in their throat or a bitter taste.

Instead, they may complain of a dry cough (see a cough severity index), a hoarse voice, or a feeling of a lump in the back of their throat.

Adults with LPRD often do not complain of typical heartburn symptoms, which is why it is often known as “silent reflux”.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) occurs occurs when stomach acid refluxes beyond the oesophageal sphincter, into the back of the throat and possibly the back of the nasal airway.

See information about Reflux Severity Index

When stomach acid touches the lining of the oesophagus it can cause a burning sensation known as heartburn.

This allows acid and other contents of the digestive tract to move up and reflux into the oesophagus.

In patients with GORD, the lower oesophageal sphincter does not close properly.

A ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus, known as the lower oesophageal sphincter, contracts to keep the acidic contents of the stomach from refluxing into the oesophagus. Normally food travels from the mouth, down through the oesophagus and into the stomach.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) occurs when acid from the stomach travels back up the oesophagus.

What is gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease? This information is for patients, families and carers following a diagnosis of astro-oesophageal or laryngopharyngeal reflux. Patient information on Gastro-oesophageal Reflux (GORD) & Laryngopharygeal Reflux (LPRD) Disease Who is this information for?

Gord treatment options