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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Is my cough really from reflux?
Answered by
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Is my cough really from reflux?
by emmy, Feb 20, 2002 12:00AM
I developed a chronic, severe (so severe I lose bladder control and can't work at my teaching job) cough after hospitalization for a viral illness last July. At the time I was diagnosed with ileus, pancreatitis, tachycardia and muscle weakness in my extremities. I had an NG tube for 10 days. The day after it was removed I started coughing. I felt a sharp pain like a raw nerve in the right side of my throat going up into my right ear. 7 months later I still have the same symptoms. No cough medication helps. I have been on Aciphex 80 mg. a day for several months and still have the cough. The DR now wants to do a Nissen procedure, but is concerned that it won't stop the cough. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I don't have heartburn and don't want to do the Nissen if it isn't going to stop this cough.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Feb 26, 2002 12:00AM
, Feb 26, 2002 12:00AM
Gastroesophageal reflux is the back flow of stomach contents and gastric acid into the esophagus or food tube. Reflux is one possible cause for your cough. You should be tested to be sure that you have reflux. The most common tests for reflux are an esophagoscopy, looking into the esophagus and a pH probe, measuring the acid in the esophagus. After taking a drug for reflux like Aciphex® for at least 6 weeks the reflux symptoms such as heartburn should be gone and the testing should be normal. If drugs do not control the reflux then surgery such as a Nissen procedure may be tried. Treating the reflux should stop the cough if the reflux is the cause of your cough.
There can be many causes of a chronic cough. A chest X-ray may uncover a cause other than reflux. Sometimes a procedure called a bronchoscopy may be done to look into your lungs to search for other causes.
There can be many causes of a chronic cough. A chest X-ray may uncover a cause other than reflux. Sometimes a procedure called a bronchoscopy may be done to look into your lungs to search for other causes.
Get a 2nd opinion from a GI (if your doctor isn't a specialist) and speak to some surgeons as well.
The article's conclusions are that "Respiratory infection can trigger or cause vocal fold paresis [partial paralysis/weakness], laryngo-pharyngeal REFLUX, and neuropathic pain."
If you are interested in some holistic ways that my husband and I treat our gastric reflux, and some holistic ways we treat our sinus problems, please email me at ***@**** and then, please have your doc check out the tips that I would be happy to share, to be sure they are OK for you, before trying any of them.
It would also be good to be seen by a pulmonologist and ENT doc, etc. to find out what might be other possible causes of your symptoms. Reflux is one cause of cough. There are other causes, also.
Sincerely,
Concerned lady