Condition
LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux)
Laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR, is reflux that reaches the throat and voice box rather than causing classic heartburn. Often called silent reflux, it shows up as a chronic cough, hoarseness, throat clearing or a lump-in-the-throat feeling, and it is easy to miss because the chest may feel fine.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Roger Eduardo, MD, FASMBS, Board-Certified General Surgeon. Last reviewed August 2026.
Book a consultation →Understanding LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux)
In LPR, stomach contents travel up past the esophagus to the larynx and pharynx, where even small amounts of acid and enzymes irritate delicate tissue. Because the throat is far more sensitive to reflux than the esophagus, people with LPR can have significant symptoms without the burning chest pain that defines typical GERD.
LPR is frequently mistaken for allergies, post-nasal drip, asthma or a lingering cold, and patients often see several providers before the reflux cause is identified. A foregut surgeon who treats the whole reflux spectrum can connect the throat symptoms to their source and confirm it with testing.
Symptoms
What it can feel like
- ◆Chronic cough or frequent throat clearing.
- ◆Hoarseness or a change in the voice.
- ◆A sensation of a lump in the throat (globus).
- ◆Post-nasal drip feeling, sore throat, or trouble swallowing.
- ◆Often little or no classic heartburn.
Causes
What drives it
- ◆Reflux of stomach contents past a weak upper and lower esophageal valve.
- ◆A hiatal hernia contributing to reflux.
- ◆Diet, late meals, and other reflux triggers.
- ◆Underlying GERD, even when chest symptoms are mild.
When to seek care
If you have had an unexplained chronic cough, hoarseness or throat clearing for weeks to months, especially after other causes have been ruled out, reflux is worth evaluating. Persistent hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or a neck lump should be examined promptly.
How we treat LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux)
Care begins with the right diagnosis, then a plan matched to you by one physician who follows you through it.
Diagnostic workup (EGD, pH, manometry)
Testing confirms reflux is the cause and measures how much reaches the throat.
Learn more →GERD care
Managing the underlying reflux that drives LPR.
Learn more →Fundoplication
A durable repair when medication is not enough for reflux reaching the throat.
Learn more →Hiatal hernia repair
Correcting a hernia that fuels reflux.
Learn more →Condition FAQ
LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux): common questions
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Yes. LPR is often called silent reflux precisely because it can cause throat symptoms like cough and hoarseness with little or no heartburn. The throat is more sensitive to reflux than the esophagus, so damage can occur without the classic burning.
Through a combination of your symptom history, examination of the throat and larynx, and objective reflux testing such as endoscopy and pH monitoring. Confirming that reflux is truly the cause matters, since the symptoms overlap with allergies and asthma.
Not usually as a first step. Many patients improve with behavioral changes and medication. When reflux is confirmed and symptoms persist despite good medical therapy, a durable anti-reflux repair can be considered after proper testing.
Start your journey
Concerned about lpr (laryngopharyngeal reflux)?
Book a consultation with Dr. Eduardo for a clear diagnosis and a plan matched to you.
