aspiration of food into lungs/

I'm a 60 year old female, who has acid reflux and bile reflux and have been taking prescribed meds for both.  A couple of days ago I had a really bad case of acid reflux while laying down, elevated, watching tv.  Was later able to cough out a small chunk of food, but have been coughing hard since then, and think I might have aspirated some food into lungs.  I also smoke, but this never, ever caused coughing episodes before.

Is aspiration of food into lungs something that can be resolved by coughing?  If not, what should I do?  I hate my current pcp and have to wait for hours and hours just to see her for a few minutes, and it's 3 - 4 weeks til next appt.

Thanks,
Kathy

[selmaS]

HI Kathy...aspirating nething into the lungs is not a good thing...call ur dr ASAP !

U want to be checked...I am not sure u can cough it out...plus smoking does affect ur reflux/GERD....it is on the list of things to avoid with GERD.

In order to feel better and ur overall health it would be advisable to try to quit.

I pray u can : )

"selma"

[harrald]

I have had GERD for 25 years. I am a military veteran, and the VA has performed several endoscopies(insert tube with camera inside your stomach)to view a former ulcer scar. Aspiration of liquid into the lungs is very dangerous and causes your epiglotis(trap-door that covers your windpipe when you swallow)to force shut for several minutes, and you are unable to breathe. This condition is very scary! I stopped drinking alcohol, and I stop eating food and liquid three hours before bedtime.

Harrald

[AZKathy]

Thank you, I've been holding off calling the dr today, in hopes that things get better.  My cough is lessening though not gone yet.  I've also have 2 stomach surgeries, once a third of my stomach was removed due to a huge ulcer, and the 2nd was a bowel resection, so I know only too well what an endoscopy is... I've just been putting off far too long having another done, I'm afraid.

I guess I'd better give in and call the dr. tomorrow.  Because of my ulcers, I don't drink alcohol at all anymore either.