Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common malady of the esophagus. It is estimated that 7-10% of the US population suffers from various degrees of this disease. This translates into a significant burden on health care resources. However, complications of reflux disease induced outside the esophagus; namely in the aerodigestive and airway tracts, are only recently becoming more recognized. For example, it is estimated that 4-10% of laryngeal diseases seen in ear, nose and throat clinics are associated with reflux disease. Although these supra-esophageal complications have become recognized as significant clinical problems, until recently the physiology and pathophysiology of interactions between the esophagopharyngeal and pharyngo-laryngeal axes during retrograde transit through the esophagus and pharynx had remained for the most part unexplored. In-depth investigation of this functional relationship and the mechanisms that prevent retrograde aspiration is of significant clinical importance not only because of pharyngo-laryngeal complications of reflux, but because of the devastating consequences of retrograde aspiration into the lungs and its complications, such as pneumonia, pneumonitis, lung fibrosis and abscesses, especially in the senior citizen group. Although much has been learned about the mechanism of airway protection against reflux of gastric content into the pharynx and larynx, during the last funding period there remains a substantial gap in our knowledge in this field, many questions remain unanswered. The progress achieved previously has provided the necessary basis to close some of these fundamental gaps in our knowledge through the hypotheses driven studies proposed.~The investigators know that patients can have significant gastroesophageal reflux during the sleeping state despite maximum medical therapy and lifestyle modifications. These patients experience severe nighttime and daytime symptoms that can have significant effect on their overall health. The investigators are proposing a non-invasive approach to help decrease reflux events beyond the upper esophageal sphincter.~Esophageal reflux into the pharynx can cause persistent symptoms such as severe heartburn, chest pain, voice hoarseness, cough, choking and sleep disturbances. There is evidence that external pressure to the upper esophageal sphincter can decrease the amount of reflux into the pharynx and possibly decrease these subjective symptoms. The investigators have anecdotal clinical evidence that an external band placed at the level of the cricoid cartilage can alleviate these symptoms in a carefully selected cohort of patients with true reflux into their pharynx. It is postulated that this external band can increase the luminal pressure at the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and thus decrease esophageal reflux into the pharynx. The external band is titrated to an internal pressure of 20 mmHg. This measurement is based on preliminary data and previous studies that have shown that a driving reflux pressure is equal to or greater than 20 mmHg.
This protocol is a study to assess the efficacy of an external upper esophageal band to decrease subjective nighttime symptoms related to esophageal reflux into the pharynx.