Acid Reflux + Chronic Coughing

[smoaky]

My wife was diagnosed with Acid Reflux several months ago after a two night stay in the hospital with severe upper chest pains. Before and after the diagnosis she has chronic dry coughing around 20 to 30 times an hour, day and night. After another doctors visit checking for asthma she was also diagnosed with several allergies. Allergy shots have been administered weekly over the past 4 to 5 months and there has been no improvement for the constant coughing . What other medications, remedies, suggestions can we take at this time???
She do not have asthma and has never smoked.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Severe gastroesophageal reflux can cause cough.
Persistent reflux may cause asthma like symptoms.
Medications like prilosec and lifestyle modifications are essential for control of these symptoms -

Lifestyle modifications-
1. Head elevation while sleeping
2. Small frequent meals
3. Going to bed 2- 3 hours after food
4. Avoiding bed time snacks
5. Avoiding smoking and alcohol
6. Avoiding tight fitting clothes
7. Avoiding cola, citrus drinks, carbonated drinks, tea, coffee, spicy food
8. Weight reduction

[Busterbeach]

I too have GERD.  I didn't know that I did at the time but my symptoms were COUGH, burping many, many times a day, burning when I ate foods that were acid like juices, COFFEE, soda.  I was miserable.  I went to my internist and she put me on Prilosec (which I didn't want to take).  I took that medication for 14 days and my cough was gone plus this helped my GERD.  I then went to an acupuncturist to help me because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life taking Prilosec.  I changed my diet, went to the acupuncturist, PLUS I took something called GASTRICA that was given to me by the acupuncturist.  This helped me.  I always try to go the way of natural before I take medication.  I also take 1/2 cup of medicinal alo vera a day and that also helps with the GERD.  When I saw your post I remembered how horrible that cough was for me, too.  Hope this helps.

[scuttlebutt]

I know this sounds "too good to be true" but after suffering from GERD for along time and trying many suggestions I made the amazing discovery that all I had to do was eliminate all sugar from my diet and the GERD was gone! Perhaps this solution has been discussed by others. I have not read all the replys. In my own case, alll I did was substitute "artificial" sweeteners (I prefer Stevia) and that was it. Once in awhile I forget and eat a desert such as  a piece of pie sweetened with sugar, etc. and I pay for it with a bout of GERD. I know it sounds too simple but sometimes we overllook the simple solutions and try to medicate the cause instead when it may not be necessary. Just cut out the sugar (and/or HFCS) and I think you will be helped.