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Date sent: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 10:07:47 EST
Subject: Re: Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

In a message dated 12/20/99 2:41:07 PM Eastern Standard Time,
lasharp-at-nycap.rr.com writes:

> I'm
> wondering what your opinion is on why so many singers seem to have reflux.
I
> have read that one reason (besides obesity and late-night or unhealthful
> eating and stress) might be that some singers experience increased pressure
> on the diaphragm. If that's true, is there something in how we are
> supporting that we can change to lessen the pressure?


Dear Laura:
This reminds me of the state I was in when I first joined Vocalist,
almost three years ago. I was suffering from a hideous bout with reflux and
gained much support and information from fellow Vocalists at that time. One
sent me an article by Robert Sataloff in which he states, " ...the technique
of singing involves, "support," forceful compression of the abdominal muscles
designed to push the abdominal contents superiorly and pull the sternum down.
This...also compresses the stomach and works against the lower esophageal
sphincter. Singing is an athletic endeavor, and the mechanism responsible
for reflux in singers is similar to that associated with reflux following
other athletic activities..."
It is also true that, since singers are so aware and careful of their
laryngeal health, they probably get in for treatment of reflux and other
disorders more readily than do nonsingers. There also appear to be two kinds
of reflux, the typical gastroesophageal type which commonly yields heartburn,
dyspepsia, supine nocturnal reflux, and the kind I have (so wonderful for the
singer!), which presents as chronic, intermittent or "morning" hoarseness,
globus, sore throat, chronic throat clearing, cough (boy do I cough!)
wheezing and halitosis. Also symptomatic in singers is the need for a longer
vocal warm-up. This type of reflux, called "Laryngopharayngeal Reflux",
tends to happen during the day and when upright. Another article seems to
state that those with the latter type may be more prone to laryngopharyngeal
and pulmonary disorders too.
Yikes! I'm scaring myself all over again! Anyway, I found this
information to be very helpful and hope it may clear up some things for
others on the list. In answer to your question, Laura, about modifying the
support system in singing to alleviate reflux symptoms, I haven't seen any
info. on that, but I can't imagine changing mine in any way; it's finally
working beautifully and I can't imagine that I could sing nearly as well
without it!

Sharon Szymanski - UNC-CH