"Looking To The Stomach For Respiratory Issues" - Christina Burkhart
Do you feel congested or struggle with a scratchy, hoarse throat? Your troubles might not be in your lungs. Medical experts are starting to look to the stomach as the culprit. Susan Howard is a registered nurse and volunteer teacher who gradually started having trouble in front of a large class. She was treated for months for what doctors thought were colds, allergies, or asthma until they visited Jamie Koufman, MD, clinical professor of otolaryngology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of the Voice Institute at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. “The problem with the idea that it’s asthma or a cold is that the symptoms don’t go away. Even after the asthma is treated they continue to have symptoms,” Dr. Koufman stated. Dr. Koufman says with silent reflux neither the lower valve or upper valve is working right. Dr. Koufman says if you have trouble breathing in but not out, the problem could be reflux. She says the number one risk factor is eating too much right before bed. Sleep on a 45-degree incline, leave four hours between your last meal and bed, and avoid junk food, soda and chocolate milk.
- Jamie A. Koufman, MD, Clinical Professor, Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Voice Institute, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai