Reflux Laryngitis

[samdive]

I have come across a new condition that my doctor thinks freedivers would be susceptible to....

Also known as LPRD (lots of stuff on a Google search), this is a condition whereby stomach acids can get back up into the throat and windpipe causing throat problems and congestion of the throat and vocal chords. It is common amongst singers because the force of diaphragmatic breathing can make it more likely..... so, in theory, it could affect freedivers too.

Has anyone experienced this?

Symptoms are hoarseness, constant clearing of throat, sore throats, excessive gunk in the throat, changes of voice, difficulty in hitting high notes, post nasal drip, bad taste in the mouth esp in the morning.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who has come across this

Sam

 

[BennyB]

Most of those symptoms seem to come with heavy packing so it might be a bit hard to determine.

Though I guess the symptoms from heavy packing tend to go away within a half hour or so, usually less for me. The gunk in throat may last a bit longer however.

 

[naiad]

I used to suffer from acid reflux. It was nothing to do with freediving, I had it for as long as I could remember. I don't have it any more. I explained more [ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthread.php?p=508689#post508689"]here[/ame].

 

[samdive]

the laryngitis type does not actually give typical indigestion symptoms - so you would notice throat and maybe ears/nose irritation but not heartburn. It sounds odd but it is one reason this problem is commonly misdiagnosed.

 

[DeepThought]

Sorry to hear about that. How did the doc diagnose it?

 

[cdavis]

Sam,

When line diving, going straight down with my head staight, I sometimes get a touch of reflux, especially if my stomach is still a little full. Not bad, but it is pretty distinctive for me. I would expect that this would be fairly common, although I've never heard anybody else mention it. Doesn't happen if I'm looking down or going down at an angle. I don't pack for diving, if that means anything.

Connor

 

[samdive]

it's not sure I have it.... some of you will remember a while ago I posted about excessive gunk in my throat all the time, and then about nasal surgery/deviated septum when the doc said it could be the cause....

I still have the same problems and have now seen just about every ENT Specialist in the region. I have persuaded the docs that surgery is NOT an option.... and this is the latest suggestion as to what might be causing it. From what I have read, it sounds highly likely that this is the cause... let's hope so. It will take about 8 weeks on new meds to find out!

Believe me if all I have to do is take indigestion tablets and I don't need my nose cut open I will be very happy!

 

[Apneajak]

I am experiencing something similar.

Loads of white foamy saliva when pool training. Basically anything strenuous horizontal or upside down causes itnto start. Only becomes more noticeable if im experience strain or doing a co2 table or long hang.

I did have small amounts of blood during a depth training block felt like a minor trachea squeeze on an easy dive. This was coughed up more later in the afternoon and freaked me out thinking it was my lungs. Saw an ENT asap got CTs of my chest, throat and sinus all cleared for any injurys or residual fluid.

This has been ongoing for about a year already. The ENT tried testing for asthma and checked my blood and saliva both came back fine. In the end they weren't very helpful suggesting it was postnasal drip or maybe vasomotor rhinitis. considering seeing another one to stick an endoscope down there.

Been diving for 10 years never a problem. Just saw this condition pop up today and figured its the closest bet i have had so far

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Andrew702]

https://forums.deeperblue.com/threads/forced-equalization-and-middle-ear-barotrauma-help.111666/


I discuss this Silent Reflux in this post it might be of use to you