Some help for LPR

I have suffered with LPR for many years, and spent a lot of money on doctors who provided no help. My worst symptoms are sleep apnea, poor sleep, shortness of breath, constant coughing, throat clearing, headaches, dizziness and more.

Lately I've made some changes in my habits that seem to be helping. Recently, I read an article on LPR that advised gargling with baking soda mixed in water. The theory is that the baking soda neutralizes the acid in the mouth and helps reduce bacterial growth. Less bacteria in the mouth, means less gets into the lungs. I tried this, and surprisingly, it helped. This got me thinking about oral hygiene more broadly. So, lately I've started doing the following:

1. Instead of just brushing my teeth, I clean the whole mouth, brushing teeth, roof of the mouth, side walls of the mouth, top of the tongue, bottom of tongue. Everything I can reach.
2. Of course, I floss very thoroughly.
3. Then swish and gargle with the baking soda and water mix.

   I do this after every meal and absolutely before bed at night. If I can't brush after a meal, I try to at least floss and rinse.

   Whenever I get the sour taste in my mouth, I take it as a signal that it's time for a cleaning.

Believe it or not, I felt immediate benefit from doing this. My symptoms, though not gone, are less pronounced. I'm only sorry it took so long to discover! I've been on this strict cleanliness routine now for just a few weeks. So I'll have to see if the improvement lasts.

If you have suffered like I have, and you're not already doing this. Try it. It may help. And it costs nothing.

1 like, 3 replies