Here are some frequently asked questions:
Are there two types of reflux?
Yes, there are two main types of reflux:
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the oesophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, and discomfort in the chest and abdomen.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) = SILENT reflux
Laryngopharyngeal reflux/silent reflux occurs when stomach content travels up the oesophagus and reaches the larynx (voice box) and throat, causing symptoms like:
hoarseness, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing.
Pepsin, responsible for digesting protein in the stomach, also escapes from the stomach and enters the airway and upper oesophagus, thereby causing inflammation and cell damage. This results in throat symptoms of reflux. The refluxate in LPR is often in gaseous form, hence the name: gaseous reflux. In addition, LPR is often without symptoms of heartburn, and therefor also called silent reflux.
While both types of reflux involve the flow of stomach content and refluxate into the oesophagus, they differ in the location and symptoms:
- GER: Primarily affects the oesophagus and stomach. Treatment involves lowered the acidity of stomach contents.
- LPR/silent reflux: Affects the larynx (voice box) and throat. Treatment involves
focusing on the pepsin caused damage in the voice and throat, e.g. treatment with
Larri Oral Spray.
Understanding the differences between these two types of reflux can help with diagnosis and treatment.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)/silent reflux is a type of acid reflux that affects the larynx (voice box) and throat. It occurs when stomach acid flows up into the oesophagus and reaches the larynx and throat, causing irritation and inflammation.
As mentioned above, pepsin is the main culprit in causing LPR.
What are common symptoms of LPR/silent reflux?
Common symptoms of LPR/silent reflux include:
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- Sore throat
- Coughing or clearing the throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Feeling of a lump in the throat
- Mucus or postnasal drip
- Breathlessness or wheezing
What causes of LPR?
LPR/silent reflux can be caused by:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid flows back up into the oesophagus and reaches the larynx and throat. The acid activates pepsin, and the activated pepsin damages the tissues of the throat, resulting in symptoms.
- Weak lower oesophageal sphincter (LES): The LES relaxes, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the oesophagus.
- Diet and lifestyle factors: Certain foods and drinks, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol, can trigger LPR symptoms.
- Obesity: Excess weight can put pressure on the stomach, causing stomach acid to flow back up into the oesophagus. Not all patients with LPR/silent reflux are obese. LPR is often not diagnosed because the symptoms are regarded as e.g. hoarseness due to smoking, throat clearing due to post-nasal drip or allergies. These symptoms might be due to LPR/silent reflux independently of other potential causes of e.g. hoarseness.
Interesting fact: 40% of patients that suffer from silent reflux do not have classic heartburn/reflux symptoms. So you may have silent reflux and no classical acid reflux symptoms. Silent reflux symptoms occur in the throat area and affect the throat/voice box, therefor causing hoarseness, coughing, postnasal drip, thick mucus in the throat and the feeling of a lump in the throat. Larri Oral Spray is an effective treatment for these symptoms.
What is the treatment for LPR/silent reflux?
Treatment for LPR/silent reflux typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medications, such as:
- Dietary changes: Avoiding trigger foods and drinks
- Lifestyle modifications: Elevating the head of the bed, losing weight, and quitting smoking
- Medical treatment.
- Larri Oral Spray to protect, lubricate and soothe the sensitive throat tissues. Larri Oral Spray is a very effective treatment.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 blockers to reduce acid production (better managing acid reflux helps improve symptoms in patients that also have silent reflux).
- Voice therapy: To help manage voice changes and hoarseness
If you suspect you have LPR/silent reflux, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
How often should I use Larri Oral Spray?
Two sprays to the back of the throat, 3 to 4 times a day (away from food) while you have symptoms. Reflux is a chronic (ongoing) condition, so treatment is continuous to manage symptoms.
Can I use Larri Oral Spray with other over the counter medications and prescribed proton pump inhibitors?
Larri Oral Spray does not have any known drug interactions. In a clinical trial done with Larri Oral Spray added to a proton pump inhibitor, it was very well tolerated and very effective.
How does Larri Oral Spray taste?
Larri Oral Spray is an easy-to-use, pleasant minty tasting throat spray.
How does Larri Oral Spray work?
Larri Oral Spray provides a 3-way action which gives Larri the protective, lubricating and soothing properties to effectively relieve symptoms associated with Silent Reflux by.
What does Larri Oral Spray contain?
- Magnesium alginate provides a barrier that minds to tissues to protect them from acidic reflux and pepsin.
- Sodium hyaluronate which helps lubricate thick mucus in the throat, protecting the tissues so that they can heal naturally.
- Camellia sinensis helps to relieve the discomfort of inflamed tissues.
How many sprays are in a bottle of Larri Oral Spray?
Each bottle contains 120 sprays.
Should I use Larri Oral spray on an ongoing basis ?
Yes, reflux is a chronic (ongoing) condition and therefore and Larri Oral Spray should be used on an ongoing basis to manage symptoms associated with LPR.
Do I need a prescription for Larri Oral Spray?
No, Larri Oral Spray is available over the counter without a doctor’s prescription. Any pharmacy is able to order Larri Oral Spray if they do not already have it in stock.
Can I use Larri Oral Spray while pregnant?
Larri Oral Spray has not been tested in pregnant moms. We cannot recommend the use of Larri while pregnant. Always follow the advice of your healthcare professional when taking medications during pregnancy.
Can I use Larri Oral Spray for my baby’s reflux symptoms?
Larri Oral Spray has not been tested in children under the age of 12. We cannot recommend the use of Larri Oral Spray in children under the age of 12. Always follow the advice of your healthcare professional when choosing medications for children.
Which pharmacies stock Larri Oral Spray
Larri Oral Spray is available from all leading pharmacies, Dischem, and Dischem Online where ordering is as simple as the click of a button. Most pharmacies can order Larri if they don’t already stock Larri.
When pharmacies order, they should receive this stock on the same day, or latest the next morning. If you ever struggle with accessing Larri Oral Spray, please contact us on info@cshealth.co.za. For bulk orders you can buy Larri Oral Spray directly from CS Health. For more information, contact info@cshealth.co.za
INSERT SHOPPING LINK TO DISCHEM
How do I know whether I have LPR or not?
You can complete this questionnaire, and if you score is higher than 13, it is highly likely that you have LPR. This is the exact diagnostic test used in some clinical trials done by gastroenterologists, surgeons and other clinicians. Please consult your healthcare provider for any questions you may have.
How long do I have to use Larri Oral Spray for?
LPR is a chronic condition like hypertension or diabetes. As doctors would normally prescribe proton pump inhibitors on a chronic/ongoing basis, so too, Larri Oral Spray is intended for long term/chronic use and can be used when throat symptoms are present. These include a sensation of lump in the throat, constant throat clearing, thick mucus at the back of the throat, voice changes/hoarseness, cough, etc.