Diagnosis
Chronic hoarseness, throat clearing, and cough, as well as a feeling of a lump in the throat or difficulty swallowing, may be signs that you have LPR. Some people have hoarseness that comes and goes, and others have a problem with too much nose and throat drainage, that is, too much mucus or phlegm. If you have any of these symptoms, and especially if you smoke, you should talk with us about LPR.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux can usually be diagnosed by taking a good history and doing a fiberoptic laryngoscopy. A fiberoptic laryngoscopy is a painless exam that is done in the office. It allows us to get a close up view of the larynx or voice box. LPR causes certain changes in the throat that can be seen on fiberoptic laryngoscopy.
