Maximizing outcome of extraesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) accompanied by regurgitation and aspiration has been suggested as the cause of many conditions, but the strongest evidence exists for a relationship between asthma and GERD and posterior laryngitis and GERD. The exact mechanism of the tracheopulmonary damage has not been determined, but studies show that proton pump inhibitor therapy can ameliorate to some extent the laryngeal symptoms in laryngitis as well as asthma symptoms, asthma medication use, and lung function. Antireflux surgery appears to be more effective than antireflux medication in asthma patients with GERD symptoms. The role of tracheopulmonary damage in patients with chest pain is less clear, and the difficulty lies in determining which patients have gastroesophageal etiology.