Method for prevention and treatment of reflux injury in the aerodigestive tract and laryngopharynx caused by pepsin

Abstract

A method for treating or preventing disorders, diseases, and symptom of reflux, that is laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), in the laryngopharynx caused by pepsin comprises orally administering to the laryngopharynx of a patient an effective amount of cellulose powder. A method for treating or preventing damage to the lining membranes of at least some of the aerodigestive tract, the damage caused by pepsin, comprises coating at least some of the lining membranes with an effective amount of a cellulose powder. Upon inhalation of the powder, the powder coats the lining membranes. Upon coating the lining membranes, the powder becomes a gel. The gel prevents the pepsin from binding with the lining membranes, thereby preventing damage caused by pepsin in laryngopharyngeal reflux or in extra-esophageal reflux.

1 . A method for treating or preventing disorders, diseases, and symptoms of reflux in the laryngopharynx caused by pepsin comprising orally administering to the laryngopharynx of a patient an effective amount of cellulose powder. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the orally administering comprises inhaling the effective amount of cellulose powder. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cellulose powder comprises a methylcellulose powder. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cellulose powder comprises a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose powder. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cellulose powder comprises a particle size between around 5 micrometers and around 7.5 micrometers. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cellulose powder further comprises a secondary substance. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the secondary comprises an alginate powder. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the secondary substance is an inert substance. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the secondary substance is an active substance. 
   
   
       10 . A method for treating or preventing damage to the lining membranes of the laryngopharynx caused by pepsin comprising inhaling an effective amount of a powder, wherein the powder coats the lining membranes, wherein upon coating the lining membranes the powder becomes a gel, wherein the gel prevents the pepsin from binding with the lining membranes. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the powder comprises a methylcellulose powder. 
   
   
       12 . A method for treating or preventing damage to the lining membranes of at least some of the aerodigestive tract, the damage caused by pepsin, comprising coating the at least some of the lining membranes with an effective amount of a cellulose powder. 
   
   
       13 . A method for treating or preventing disorders, diseases, and symptoms of reflux in the laryngopharynx caused by pepsin comprising orally administering to the laryngopharynx of a patient an effective amount of essentially pure hydroxypropyl methylcellulose powder, wherein the powder is inhaled, wherein the powder has an effective particle size such that upon inhalation it is deposited onto the lining membranes of the larngopharynx of the patient.