• UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine
UCLA Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health

UCLA Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health

UCLA Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health
  • Our Difference
    • Our Difference
    • Our Stories
    • Precision Health
    • In the News
    • Giving / Donations
  • Preventive Care
    • Integrative Digestive Health and Wellness
    • Nutrition
    • Precision Health
  • Diseases We Treat
    • Acid Reflux / GERD
    • Achalasia
    • Barrett's Esophagus
    • Belching Disorders
    • Cricopharyngeal Bar
    • Diffuse Esophageal Spasm (DES)
    • Dysphagia
    • Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
    • Esophageal Cancer
    • Esophageal Stricture
    • Esophageal Varices
    • Esophagitis
    • Globus Pharyngeus
    • Hiatal Hernia
    • Inlet Patch
    • Jackhammer Esophagus
    • Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
    • Scleroderma
    • Zenker's Diverticulum
  • Testing & Treatments
    • Diagnostic
    • Interventional
    • Surgical
    • More
  • For Patients and Visitors
    • COVID-19 Safety Precautions
    • Schedule an Appointment
    • Maps, Directions, Parking
    • Preps and Education Materials
    • Our Stories
    • Community Education, Events, Webinars and Videos
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Health Plans Accepted
    • Overnight Accommodations
    • Video Gallery
    • Preparing for Esophageal Surgery
  • For Healthcare Professionals
    • Refer a Patient
    • Esophageal Insights Zoom Series
    • In the News
    • Videos for Healthcare Professionals
  • Research
    • Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Control
    • QI and Value-Based Care
  • Our Expert Team
  • UCLA Health
  • myUCLAhealth
  • School of Medicine

UCLA Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health

Diseases We Treat

Diseases We Treat

Diseases We Treat

  • Acid Reflux / GERD
  • Achalasia
  • Barrett's Esophagus
  • Belching Disorders
  • Cricopharyngeal Bar
  • Diffuse Esophageal Spasm (DES)
  • Dysphagia
    • Functional Dysphagia
    • Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Esophageal Stricture
  • Esophageal Varices
  • Esophagitis
  • Globus Pharyngeus
  • Hiatal Hernia
  • Inlet Patch
  • Jackhammer Esophagus
  • Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
  • Scleroderma
  • Zenker's Diverticulum
  • Acid Reflux / GERD
  • Achalasia
  • Barrett's Esophagus
  • Belching Disorders
  • Cricopharyngeal Bar
  • Diffuse Esophageal Spasm (DES)
  • Dysphagia
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Esophageal Stricture
  • Esophageal Varices
  • Esophagitis
  • Globus Pharyngeus
  • Hiatal Hernia
  • Inlet Patch
  • Jackhammer Esophagus
  • Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
  • Scleroderma
  • Zenker's Diverticulum
  1. Home
  2. Diseases We Treat
  3. Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Share this

What is laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)?

During gastroesophageal reflux (GER), stomach contents enter the esophagus. In the case of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), stomach contents pass through the esophagus, through the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), and into the back of the throat, and may even reach the nasal cavity.

What causes LPR?

LPR most commonly results from conditions that enable reflux of stomach contents back into the esophagus such as a hiatal hernia or increased abdominal pressure. However, LPR can also be due to a motility problem in the esophagus, such as achalasia.

What are the symptoms of LPR?

Symptoms include a sour or bitter taste, throat burning, or a sensation that something is “stuck” in the back of the throat. Hoarse voice, throat clearing, or coughing might be present. Many patients with LPR do not experience heartburn that is classically associated with GER.

How is LPR diagnosed?

A team approach if often needed to properly diagnose LPR. Commonly, LPR is diagnosed by an otolaryngologist, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, during an office examination. During this visit, the ENT specialist might perform a laryngoscopy, which uses a special camera passing through the nose to look at the throat, vocal cords, and possibly even the esophagus. Consultation with a gastroenterologist might also be needed confirm the diagnosis or determine if there are other potential causes for the LPR symptoms. Testing needed to diagnose LPR include upper GI endoscopy (EGD), (acid) pH testing, and esophageal manometry.

What are the treatment options for LPR?

As the most common cause of LPR is GERD, treatment is directed at controlling the reflux. Options include lifestyle changes (avoidance of highly acidic foods, eating smaller meals, avoid eating/drinking within 2-3 hours before lying down, weight loss, quit smoking, reducing alcohol intake), acid blocking medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 receptor blockers, and anti-reflux surgery. If there is an underlying motility disorder, this should be addressed if possible. Learn more about our nutrition and integrative digestive health and wellness programs

Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest
UCLA Health hospitals ranked best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report
  • UCLA Health
  • Find a Doctor
  • School of Medicine
  • School of Nursing
  • UCLA Campus
  • Directory
  • Newsroom
  • Subscribe
  • Patient Stories
  • Giving
  • Careers
  • Volunteer
  • International Services
  • Privacy Practices
  • Nondiscrimination
  • Billing
  • Health Plans
  • Emergency
  • Report Broken Links
  • Terms of Use
  • 1-310-825-2631
  • Maps & Directions
  • Contact Us
  • Your Feedback
  • Report Misconduct
  • Get Social
  • Sitemap
Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest

Sign in to myUCLAhealth

Learn more about myUCLAhealth