Q: What is reflux?
A: Reflux happens when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus and sometimes the throat. In infants, children, and adults, reflux may look like frequent spitting up, heartburn, or a chronic sore throat.
When reflux becomes persistent or severe, it’s often called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). GERD can interfere with safe swallowing and irritate the airway.
Q: How does reflux affect swallowing?
A: Reflux can:
- Irritate the throat and esophagus, making swallowing painful
- Trigger coughing or gagging during meals
- Cause a sensation of food “sticking” in the throat
- Lead to changes in swallow timing and coordination
- Increase risk of aspiration (food/liquid entering the airway)
Q: How does reflux affect breathing and the airway?
A: Reflux can reach the upper airway and cause:
- Chronic cough, hoarseness, or sore throat
- Frequent throat clearing
- Asthma-like symptoms or worsened asthma
- Sleep disruption from coughing or micro-aspiration
- Inflammation that narrows the airway over time
Q: What are signs of reflux in infants and children?
A: Parents should watch for:
- Frequent spitting up or vomiting
- Arching back or fussing during/after feeds
- Refusal to eat or difficulty feeding
- Coughing, gagging, or choking while feeding
- Poor weight gain or slow growth
- Restless sleep, noisy breathing, or snoring
Q: How is reflux evaluated at BreatheWorks?
A: We look at:
- Feeding history (timing of symptoms, relation to meals)
- Swallowing function (oral motor skills, suck-swallow-breathe coordination)
- Breathing habits (mouth breathing vs. nasal breathing, airway efficiency)
- Posture and oral rest position
- Collaboration with pediatricians, ENTs, GI specialists, and dentists to identify contributing factors
Q: How does therapy help with reflux-related swallowing issues?
A: At BreatheWorks, therapy focuses on:
- Oral motor strengthening to improve swallowing efficiency
- Swallow retraining to reduce gagging, coughing, or aspiration risk
- Breathing and posture therapy to promote nasal breathing and reduce airway irritation
- Feeding strategies (positioning, pacing, texture adjustments)
- Parent/caregiver coaching to reduce stress and improve mealtime success
Therapy is tailored for infants, children, and adults experiencing reflux-related swallowing and breathing issues.
Q: Can therapy help if I already take reflux medication?
A: Yes. Medication reduces stomach acid but does not retrain swallowing muscles or correct oral rest posture. Therapy complements medical care by addressing the functional side of eating, swallowing, and breathing.
Q: Can reflux therapy be done virtually?
A: Yes. BreatheWorks offers the same quality of care virtually as in person. Through telehealth, we provide:
- Swallow and feeding evaluations
- Live parent/caregiver coaching
- Exercise demonstrations and progress tracking
This makes therapy accessible even if you’re not near one of our clinics.
Q: Where do you offer care?
A: In-person therapy is available in:
- Portland, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Bellevue, Washington
- Amarillo, Texas
We also serve patients virtually nationwide.
Quick FAQs
Can reflux cause swallowing problems? Yes—chronic reflux can irritate the throat and esophagus, making swallowing painful and less efficient.
Can reflux affect sleep? Yes—reflux can cause nighttime coughing, snoring, or restless sleep, especially if stomach contents reach the airway.
Does reflux go away in infants? Mild reflux may improve with age, but persistent symptoms should be evaluated.
Can therapy reduce reflux symptoms? Therapy can’t cure reflux but can improve swallowing, airway health, and feeding success.
Next Steps
If reflux is affecting your eating, swallowing, or breathing—or your child’s feeding—therapy can help restore safety and comfort.
- Schedule a reflux & swallowing evaluation (in-person or virtual)
- Providers: Refer a patient to BreatheWorks
