laryngitis, reflux

laryngitis, reflux Inflammation of the larynx (voice box) caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. Reflux laryngitis is associated with chronic hoarseness and symptoms of esophageal irritation such as heartburn, chest pain, asthma, or the feeling of a foreign body in the throat (the globus phenomenon). This can lead to chronic throat clearing, difficulty swallowing, cough, spasms of the vocal cords, and growths on the vocal cords (granulomas). Reflux also increases the risk of cancer of the esophagus and larynx. See also reflux.