Diagnosing the Acid Beast: Are You a Reflux Sufferer?
16/11/2024
Let’s talk reflux. It’s not the most glamorous topic, but one that’s essential for anyone who cares about their voice. Whether you’re a professional singer or someone who simply enjoys chatting without discomfort, reflux can have a significant impact on your vocal health.
In 2020, I created 3 webinars on SOS Voice, covering what to do (and not do) to keep your voice in top form, which are now part of the The singsing! Sofa Library.
In Part 2, we took a deep dive into reflux: What it is, how it affects your voice, and what you can do to manage it effectively.
Part 1: Vocal rest – Effects of meds on your voice – The common cold – Allergies – Airway infections – Hydration – Herbs & supplements
Part 2: Reflux – Voice & hormones – Safety measures for intubation
Part 3: Warm-ups, Cool-downs & Emergency aid
What is Reflux?
Reflux happens when stomach acid sneaks up into your esophagus and sometimes even your throat, irritating the delicate tissues there. While occasional reflux isn’t unusual, frequent episodes – often called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) – can cause damage to your voice.
The fumes from stomach acid can irritate your vocal folds without the acid itself making direct contact. When stomach acid rises into your esophagus, even if it doesn’t reach your throat, the gaseous emissions can seep into the region of your larynx and irritate the sensitive tissues of your voice.
This can lead to inflammation, hoarseness, loss of vocal range and discomfort. This form of reflux-related damage is why you, as a singer, must take reflux seriously, even if you don’t experience severe heartburn or other overt symptoms. Proper management is essential to protect your voice from this often-overlooked hazard.
Watch the webinar to understand the various possible causes of reflux!
Silent Reflux: The Sneaky Culprit
In the webinar, I also discussed the concept of silent reflux, a form of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that doesn’t always present with the typical symptoms like heartburn, so its presence can go unnoticed.
It often occurs at night when you’re lying down, making it easier for stomach acid to travel up the esophagus. As it doesn’t always produce the familiar sensation of burning in the chest or throat, it’s particularly dangerous for singers, as it can irritate the vocal folds even without causing obvious symptoms.
So it’s important to be vigilant for subtle signs that appear especially in the morning like hoarseness, a funny taste in your mouth, or feeling unusually thirsty. When you notice these common indicators, it means that acid might have traveled up your esophagus during the night and seeking proper diagnosis and treatment might help you solve your voice problems.
Why Singers are Particularly Prone to Reflux
Did you know that some singers suffer from reflux without realizing that the root cause is their singing? The culprit could be hiatal hernia, a condition where part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm.
This might happen because of the intense pressure some singers exert on their diaphragm with unbalanced breath management during powerful vocal performances. Over time, this pressure can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that keeps stomach acid where it belongs, leading to reflux.
This makes proper breath management and overall voice care even more critical for singers. If you’re experiencing unexplained vocal issues, it’s worth consulting a specialist like a gastroenterologist to see if a hiatal hernia might be playing a role.
And oh. This might be a good time to mention that there’s also a webinar on Breath Management in The singsing! Sofa Library 😉
Diagnosing Reflux: A Key Step Toward Healing
Diagnosing reflux properly is crucial before jumping to conclusions about its impact on your voice. Many singers experience symptoms that could be mistaken for reflux, such as throat irritation, hoarseness, or vocal fatigue. To confirm reflux as the underlying issue, a medical diagnosis is necessary.
A phoniatrician / laryngologist is a voice specialist who can help diagnose reflux. They can perform a thorough examination of your vocal folds, often using an endoscopy, which allows them to visually assess any damage or signs of irritation that may be caused by reflux.
This helps to confirm whether reflux is indeed the issue or if there might be another underlying cause. A phoniatrician’s expertise is crucial in distinguishing between reflux-related symptoms and other potential voice problems, ensuring a more accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Without an accurate diagnosis, you risk treating the wrong problem, which can waste time, money, and effort; ànd leave your voice suffering in the meantime. I urge you to work closely with an ENT specialized in voice (phoniatrician / laryngologist) and / or or gastroenterologist to ensure you’re addressing the root cause of your symptoms effectively.
This blog post only explains what reflux is and there’s so much more to learn… Do you want to understand the causes and more importantly, how to manage reflux? Subscribe to the Library and get immediate access to the 3 webinars on SOS Voice!
Reflux can be a real challenge, but with the right strategies, you can protect your voice and keep singing with confidence.
Sarah Joyce - Singer & Voice Teacher
As always, feel free to send me your thoughts, questions, and feedback in the comments below this blog, via the contact form or in the singsing! online community 
Cordially,
Sarah