pathoscribe

Written by Anoushka Pandya | Art by Maya Wen 

To all my singers, what if one day it hurt to sing? Singer Luke Chiang went through this when he developed a condition called LPR. Luke Chiang is well known for his breakout hit “Shouldn’t Be,” released in 2019, among his other songs. After he released his single “Paragraphs,” he was diagnosed with a condition named LPR.

LPR, or laryngopharyngeal reflux, occurs when stomach acid reflux travels into the esophagus (throat area), preventing normal function of the voice box and throat. Typically, acid reflux results in heartburn and pain after eating, but LPR causes different symptoms – Because of these differing symptoms, LPR is often called “silent reflux.” 

The symptoms of LPR include pain in the throat and irritation in the sinuses. It feels like there is constantly something stuck in your throat. LPR occurs when the two barriers separating your stomach acid from your esophagus – The LES (lower esophageal sphincter) and the UES (upper esophageal sphincter) must be damaged/abnormally relaxed for LPR to occur. LPR is typically caused by certain foods or drinks or smoking. Most of the time, LPR is cured by addressing the cause of it. In some cases, medication is needed. For example, a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) can neutralize acids and protect tissues. In even rarer cases, medication is used. 

Typically, LPR lasts for several months, but Luke Chiang has been suffering from the symptoms of LPR to this day. In the early stages of his diagnosis, he was unable to talk without pain. Chiang has made immense progress and has begun singing again. He has yet to release another song but is hopeful and excited to release new music.

Works Cited:

Cleveland Clinic Medical Professionals “Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR): The Other Reflux.” Cleveland Clinic, 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15024-laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lpr. 

Mandell, Josh. “Musician Luke Chiang Is Relearning How to Sing after Throat Disease Diagnosis.” The Panther Newspaper, The Panther Newspaper, 12 Dec. 2022, http://www.thepanthernewspaper.org/entertainment/musician-luke-chiang-is-relearning-how-to-sing-after-throat-disease-diagnosis