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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for ameliorating symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux caused by activated pepsin comprising: an inhalable and dispersible cellulose-based powder in a form ready for coating lining membranes of laryngopharynx of a patient, the cellulose-based powder comprising particles sized to form an effective amount that can reach the lining member upon inhalation to form a gel on the lining membranes to prevent pepsin from binding to said lining membranes upon coating said lining membranes. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-based powder comprises a methylcellulose powder. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-based powder comprises a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose powder. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of the cellulose-based powder are sized between about 5 micrometers and around 7.5 micrometers. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-based powder is free from pharmaceuticals. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-based powder further comprises another inert substance. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulose-based powder is pharmaceutical grade. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount is in the range of 3 to 60 milligrams. 
     
     
         9 . An inhaler containing a composition according to claim 
     
     
         10 . A bottle containing a composition as recited in  claim 1 , the bottle further including an inhalation part for dispensing said composition. 
     
     
         11 . The bottle of  claim 10 , wherein said inhalation part includes a base, a top, sidewalls, and an interior channel with an inlet aperture at said based and an outlet aperture at said top, the channel being configured to allow the cellulose-based powder to travel therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The bottle of  claim 11 , wherein said channel having a diverging taper from said base to said top. 
     
     
         13 . The bottle of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of apertures defined in said sidewalls.