What causes recurring hoarseness of voice and irritation in the throat?

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The most common reason for this persistent irritation in the throat can be a feature of chronic silent GERD with LPR (gastroesophageal reflux with laryngopharyngeal reflux). Even though you might be asymptomatic or never had gastric issues in between, the inflammation in the throat often exists in the hidden form and can resurface when adequate care is not taken. Why does hidden acid reflux become so problematic? As you know, the stomach usually has cells that release hydrochloric acid and thus keep the gastric environment acidic. Your entire mucosal lining from the mouth, throat, and food pipe (esophagus) is not meant to handle anything acidic. The throat is the most sensitive of the three structures due to its rich nerve supply. If, in a given situation, your mouth, throat, or food pipe chronically comes in contact with acidic contents, an inflammation starts which the body initially takes care of, but once this compensation wears out, you start developing the symptoms that you have mentioned. I would suggest - 1. Maintain a strict diet, and eat on time. 2. Avoid spicy, oily, and cold food or drinks. 3. Keep a gap of two hours between meals and going to bed. 4. Do not overeat; keep your stomach half empty and have regular intermittent light food like fresh-cut fruits in between main meals. 5. Salt water gargling eight to ten times daily for 15 days. 6. Avoid alcohol and smoking, as they can potentiate reflux. 7. Try to maintain a left lateral position while sleeping to reduce the chance of reflux. Treatment plan - Tablet Pan D (Domperidone and Pantoprazole) 40 mg (or equivalent) once in the morning before breakfast for one month. Syrup Mucaine gel (Oxetacaine, Aluminium hydroxide, and milk of magnesia) (or equivalent) one teaspoon three times a day 20 minutes before meals for one month. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with them and take medications with their prescription. Ensure you follow the precautionary measures as much as possible, as drugs do not fetch long-term relief. Please understand that it typically takes four to six weeks for things to normalize and for symptoms to subside. It chiefly depends on how much you have been able to follow the precautions mentioned above, as 80 percent of the treatment lies there. Nothing you need to worry about as this is a treatable entity, and things will be fine. I hope I have answered your query in detail. Please let me know if there is anything more you need to know or enquire. Thank you.