Silent reflux, also known clinically as laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR), is a condition similar to GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD is the cause of common heartburn, though the condition can become much more severe, causing terrible symptoms and requiring more complex medical intervention.

While LPR is similar in some respects to GERD, there are some distinct differences between the two conditions as well. GERD causes stomach acids to backup into the esophagus, resulting in the burning sensation typically referred to as heartburn. With LPR, there is rarely this burning sensation, making it a difficult condition to diagnose and resulting in it being called silent reflux.

The symptoms that accompany LPR can vary between children and adults. For infants and children with the condition, the most common symptoms are hoarseness; a chronic cough sometimes referred to as “barking cough; asthma; apnea; difficulty eating which can result in aspiration of food into the lungs; and difficulty gaining weight.

In adults, silent reflux shows up with some similar symptoms and some which are quite different. Those that are similar include constant clearing of the throat; chronic cough; hoarseness; and the constant feeling of having something stuck in the throat.

Adult’s disparate symptoms include trouble swallowing; the feeling of postnasal drip or too much mucus in the throat; sore throat; difficulty breathing; and a bitter taste in the back of the throat which is similar to that which occurs with more obvious heartburn symptoms.

Silent reflux, while similar in some ways to GERD, often does not appear in adults with the most common heartburn symptoms like a sharp pain in the base of the chest, burning sensation deep inside the chest, or the obvious presence of acid in the through which is often caused by belching.

In silent reflux, not only does the lower esophageal sphincter not work properly, but the upper one does not either, allowing stomach acid to not only make its way back into the esophagus but all the way up into your throat as well.

Stomach acids can back up into the larynx or voice box, which is the cause of the hoarseness symptom so commonly found in LPR patients. Acids can even end up in your nasal airways, causing inflammation and excessive production of mucus.

The clinical diagnosis of silent reflux often requires an endoscopic exam, though pH monitoring can also be utilized. The treatment of the condition is similar to that used for GERD. Lifestyle, dietary and stress reduction changes are the most common recommended for patients with LPR. most patients respond well to self-care techniques, though some require more complex medical treatment and maintenance medications.

H1N1 Swine Flu – Symptoms and Warning Signs

The H1N1 Swine Flu is a respiratory disease caused by a virus. The virus is spread from person to person in the same way that regular seasonal influenza and common colds spread. The USDA reminds consumers that all meat and poultry product are safe to eat when properly prepared and cooked.

H1N1 Swine Flu is an influenza virus causing mild to severe symptoms. The vast majority of people contracting the H1N1 Swine Flu have recovered on their own without a doctor or hospitalization. It should be noted, however, that death has occurred as a result of contracting the H1N1 Swine Flu in a few people.

The H1N1 Swine Flu has most, if not all, of the symptoms of seasonal flu. Seasonal influenza symptoms usually include fever, headache, aches and pains, fatigue, cough and chest discomfort. sometimes you may have a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat and sneezing. The H1N1 Swine Flu has three distinct differences from seasonal flu – the symptoms may be more severe, and a significant number of cases have reported vomiting and diarrhea.

These symptoms are different from the common cold. The common cold usually has a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough and occasionally some chest discomfort. Aches and pain can occur, but are typically slight compared to the flu. It is rare to get a fever or headaches with the common cold.

To complete the comparison of symptoms – Airborne allergies usually have sneezing and runny or stuffy nose. sometimes a sore throat and cough might occur along with fatigue. It is rare to have chest discomfort or headache with an airborne allergy. Aches, pains and fever are not considered symptoms of airborne allergies.

When should you become alarmed?  The warning signs for children with H1N1 Swine Flu include: fast or troubled breathing, bluish or gray skin color, severe or persistent vomiting, extreme difficulty waking up, not drinking enough liquids, not interacting with others, extreme irritability – not wanting to be held. you should be very conscious is the flu symptoms improve; then, fever returns quickly and the coughing worsens.

The warning signs in adults are similar and include some additional symptoms such as: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in your chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, and severe or persistent vomiting. As with children, adults may show improvement and a sudden return of fever and increased coughing.

The H1N1 Swine Flu, just like the common cold and airborne allergies can be slight, mild or severe. everyone reacts differently. 70% of the patients hospitalized with the H1N1 Swine Flu have had one or more medical conditions that placed them in the ‘high risk’ category. High risk includes: pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

Take an inventory of your symptoms to see if you have influenza, common cold or an airborne allergy.  Knowing what you have makes it easier for you to treat.  The severity of the influenza symptoms could mean that you might have the H1N1 Swine Flu.

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