The GERD cough is a dry cough that worsens at night and lasts longer than 8 weeks. GERD occurs when part of the stomach's acidic content move up through the throat. Often times people experience heartburn which does not resolve with antacids.
Patients who present with classic GERD symptoms and cough tend to have GERD-related cough. Nighttime coughs or coughing after meals are signs associated with reflux-induced cough. Similarly, it is easier to point to GERD as a potential etiology when patients display a history of GERD, heartburn, or regurgitation.
It is thought that it takes approximately 3 months for true GERD-related cough to improve because the nerves involved in the cough reflex take time to return to normal function.
There are several symptoms of GERD cough, including coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, and chest congestion. The cough may be dry or accompanied by thick phlegm.
Frequent sips of water can be used in the management of the gastroesophageal reflux and ineffective motility induced cough.
GERD can cause various pulmonary manifestations: Chronic cough, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and interstitial fibrosis [Table 1].
As stomach acid inches up your food pipe, there's a possibility that some of it can sneak into your lungs too, causing respiratory issues ranging from no big deal (like persistent coughing, chest congestion, and hoarseness) to totally unexpected (like asthma, laryngitis, pneumonia, or wheezing).
Many are surprised to learn that the issue behind their chronic cough is not a cold, but rather due to gastroesophageal reflux or GERD. The U.S. Library of Medicine found that GERD was associated in 25% or more cases of chronic coughing. The GERD cough is a dry cough that worsens at night and lasts longer than 8 weeks.
Heartburn, or acid reflux, is a painful condition where the gastric juices of the stomach back up into the esophagus. There's long been a myth that milk can soothe the throat and curb reflux symptoms. But most research suggests that milk, especially full-fat milk, can actually make symptoms worse.
Water. Most notably, mineral water with an alkaline pH – this may reduce the acidity of the stomach and help to denature the enzyme pepsin. It's this digestive enzyme that is thought to be responsible for much of the damage associated with reflux.
1ndividuals with nighttime GERD may wake up more often choking or coughing or with regurgitation (ie, an acid or sour taste in their mouth) at nighttime. A recent study has also shown that individuals with nighttime heartburn tend to have more severe GERD symptoms.
Instead Of Coughing, Try Forcefully Breathing Out
So instead of coughing, try to breathe out of your nose forcefully. That will not only get rid of the mucus that has built up in your throat but will also give you the relieving sensation of an unblocked throat and nose.
The damage caused by mild GERD can be possibly reversed or reduced by following a healthy lifestyle and taking medications.
Bananas for stomach acid are considered safe because they have alkaline (alkaline) properties. In addition, this fruit is also considered to help balance the acid in the stomach so that symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can be prevented.
Is yogurt a good choice? Yogurt that is not too sour is also excellent for acid reflux, because of the probiotics that help normalize bowel function. Yogurt also provides protein, and soothes stomach discomfort, often providing a cooling sensation.