- Excessive throat clearing
- Persistent cough
- Hoarseness
- A “lump” in the throat that doesn’t go away with repeated swallowing
- A sensation of postnasal drip or excess throat mucus
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Trouble breathing
- Sore throat
When stomach acid pools in the throat and larynx, it can cause long-term irritation and damage. In adults, silent reflux can scar the throat and voice box. It can also increase risk for cancer in the area, affect the lungs, and may aggravate conditions such as asthma, emphysema or bronchitis. Because silent reflux symptoms affect the larynx rather than the esophagus, as with GERD, it is harder to diagnose and may go untreated. A doctor can diagnose silent reflux by performing specialized tests.