GERD cough is a persistent cough caused by acid reflux disease and is often associated with heartburn or chest pain. It is not stopped by cough or cold medications and is only relieved by treatments for acid reflux disease, including dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and medication.
A GERD cough is a persistent cough caused by acid reflux problems. It is sometimes the only symptom of acid reflux disease and is referred to as “silent GERD,” but is often associated with heartburn or chest pain. GERD cough is not stopped by cough or cold medications. It is only relieved by treatments for acid reflux disease.
Short for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder, GERD is the medical term for persistent acid reflux or heartburn. Acid reflux is caused by a defective muscle at the base of the esophagus. Under normal conditions, this muscle opens during swallowing and closes as the stomach digests food. The muscle can be weakened by certain foods or medications and may not open and close properly. This causes stomach acid to enter the esophagus.
Patients with GERD usually report symptoms of heartburn and chest pain, often accompanied by an unexplained persistent cough. Medical professionals define a persistent unexplained cough as one that has lasted for more than three weeks and is unresponsive to cough and cold medications. Such coughs also show no abnormalities on bronchial X-rays and there is no expectoration of phlegm or blood. GERD cough is the third most common source of persistent cough, surpassed only by bronchial asthma and postnasal drip.
GERD cough is caused by one of two failures of the gastroesophageal system. In most cases, the acid in the esophagus will irritate the lining of the esophagus and the body will try to expel the fluid. Less common is an overflow of acidic stomach fluid into the lungs.
To stop a GERD cough, the patient must be treated for acid reflux. Sometimes this can be done by making dietary changes, including eliminating and reducing the amount of spicy, acidic, or fatty foods in the diet. This includes caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, tomato products, fast-food and chocolate. Other lifestyle changes to ease GERD symptoms include giving up smoking, losing weight, eating more frequent meals with smaller portions, and not eating within three hours of bedtime.
If diet and exercise aren’t enough, more aggressive treatments may be prescribed. Regular use of antacids controls many cases of acid reflux. Proton pump inhibitors, such as Prilosec® and Prevacid®, block the production of stomach acid and are available both over-the-counter and by prescription. H2 blockers, drugs that reduce the production of histamine2 in the stomach, are a less frequently prescribed treatment option. Over 80% of patients report that their GERD cough stops after aggressive acid reflux treatment.
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