Why does my throat and vocal cords seem swelled?

Hi,

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Based on the clinical history and symptoms, it is consistent with acid reflux. Yes, you may proceed with the video laryngoscopy for complete confirmation. However, we must realize that the management of acid reflux involves the following : 1) Lifestyle modifications such as avoiding late-night dinner, giving at least an interval of two to three hours between dinner and bedtime/sleep. 2) Avoid reflexogenic foods like spicy, oily, fatty foods including dairy products at night. 3) Medical management would include adding the tablet Domperidone 10 mg three times a day for two weeks (after meals), in addition to the tablet Pantoprazole that you are already taking. However, you would need a medical prescription for the same from your local doctor. 4) Suspension Gaviscon 10 ml after food, just before bed is very effective. You may use that initially for two weeks and that should control almost all your current symptoms well. Gaviscon is available as an over-the-counter medication without any prescription. When you consume it as the last thing before bed, it floats in your stomach, and instead of the acid returning, it will be this medicine that returns. Thereby, reverting all the changes in your esophagus (food pipe) right up to the throat. This may be used on and off even later, in case you do happen to have a late-night dinner due to various social reasons, etc.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is quite common for people having reflux to experience soreness, congestion, and inflammation of the throat (especially in the morning on waking up). Gaviscon is very effective and gives good results quite quickly. May I also add that in case you have the habit of lying down in the afternoon after lunch (some people do take a siesta), it would be advisable to have the Gaviscon after lunch as well. It is also common to experience a feverish feeling (without any recordable fever) due to throat inflammation.