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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
acid reflux in lungs?
Answered by
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acid reflux in lungs?
by Andydrew, May 18, 2003 12:00AM
I have been diagnosed with a small hernia with chronic acid reflux. In the morning I wake up with a wet cough and when I take a deep breath it feels as if I have fluid inside. I already sleep on a wedge pillow. I am not sure if it's the acid going into my lungs or something else and I'm concerned about what to do to stop this as I'm sure it's extremely damaging to my lungs.
Thanks you very much, Andydrew.
Thanks you very much, Andydrew.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, May 22, 2003 12:00AM
, May 22, 2003 12:00AM
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the back flow of stomach contents, including digestive juices, into the esophagus or food tube. This is more commonly called acid reflux or heartburn. This reflux can come all the way up to the mouth and nose. When this happens the material can be aspirated, dribbling into the windpipe and lungs. Your symptoms could be due to this.
GERD can cause the following symptoms:
· Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth;
· Pain occurring in the middle of the chest;
· Coughing and/or choking while lying down; and
· Increased trouble breathing while asleep.
GERD can often be controlled by avoiding food and drink 2 to 3 hours before bedtime, raising the head of the bed 6 to 8 inches, and/or taking medicines. Rather than using the wedge pillow, raise the head of the bed by placing blocks under the legs at the head of the bed. This will keep your head higher than your stomach, but you will be laying flat. Being bent at the waist, as you are with the wedge pillow, can make your GERD worse.
You will need to see a doctor to find out the nature of the problem that is causing your wet cough and your feeling of fluid in your lungs. As you have suggested this could be due to the GERD going into your lungs and this can be extremely damaging. A gastroenterologist is the type of specialist to let you know if it is the GERD causing your symptoms and the best treatment to stop this. You may need further testing to be sure there isn’t something in addition to GERD causing your symptoms. Please read our Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/reflux.html for more information.
GERD can cause the following symptoms:
· Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth;
· Pain occurring in the middle of the chest;
· Coughing and/or choking while lying down; and
· Increased trouble breathing while asleep.
GERD can often be controlled by avoiding food and drink 2 to 3 hours before bedtime, raising the head of the bed 6 to 8 inches, and/or taking medicines. Rather than using the wedge pillow, raise the head of the bed by placing blocks under the legs at the head of the bed. This will keep your head higher than your stomach, but you will be laying flat. Being bent at the waist, as you are with the wedge pillow, can make your GERD worse.
You will need to see a doctor to find out the nature of the problem that is causing your wet cough and your feeling of fluid in your lungs. As you have suggested this could be due to the GERD going into your lungs and this can be extremely damaging. A gastroenterologist is the type of specialist to let you know if it is the GERD causing your symptoms and the best treatment to stop this. You may need further testing to be sure there isn’t something in addition to GERD causing your symptoms. Please read our Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/reflux.html for more information.
Member Comments (1)
by sister mtt, Apr 19, 2008 05:21PM
A related discussion, fluid in lungs was started.
