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What Causes Chronic Cough After Eating While Having Acid Reflux?
Question: Hi: I have had chronic coughing after eating for some time now-I won't be able to see a gastroenterologist till Nov. 22. I have acid reflux. What is causing this?
Brief Answer:
Information on GERD and coughing.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
When acid comes up during acid reflux, it can come up high enough to be felt in the back of the throat and trigger coughing. Once it has come up high enough to where the pharynx splits into the esophagus and trachea, some of the acid can go back down "the wrong pipe" which will make a person cough.
Now about why the acid comes up: this can happen if there is more acid or more pressure in the stomach (such as from a big meal) than the muscles at the bottom of the esophagus can keep out. Common causes of this are having a hiatal hernia (where part of the stomach is above the diaphragm), being overly heavy, smoking cigarettes, progesterone, calcium channel blocker blood pressure medication, Parkinson medication, tricyclic antidepressants, and sedatives.
Sometimes acid reflux can be an acute problem, such as after a spicy or acidy meal.
Tips for keeping the acid down are
1. get blocks to put under the posts at the head of the bed. This works better than extra pillows, because extra pillows can cause your body to bend in such a way that your stomach has more pressure on it.
2. No peppermint, alcohol, and avoid or reduce caffeine, chocolate, and citrus such as lemons, oranges, limes. Avoid tomatoes and other foods that are acidic. And some people are affected by spicy greasy foods but not all.
3. If you are overweight, do what you can to lose a few pounds as this can make a difference.
4. Don't eat for a couple of hours before you go to bed.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information on GERD and coughing.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
When acid comes up during acid reflux, it can come up high enough to be felt in the back of the throat and trigger coughing. Once it has come up high enough to where the pharynx splits into the esophagus and trachea, some of the acid can go back down "the wrong pipe" which will make a person cough.
Now about why the acid comes up: this can happen if there is more acid or more pressure in the stomach (such as from a big meal) than the muscles at the bottom of the esophagus can keep out. Common causes of this are having a hiatal hernia (where part of the stomach is above the diaphragm), being overly heavy, smoking cigarettes, progesterone, calcium channel blocker blood pressure medication, Parkinson medication, tricyclic antidepressants, and sedatives.
Sometimes acid reflux can be an acute problem, such as after a spicy or acidy meal.
Tips for keeping the acid down are
1. get blocks to put under the posts at the head of the bed. This works better than extra pillows, because extra pillows can cause your body to bend in such a way that your stomach has more pressure on it.
2. No peppermint, alcohol, and avoid or reduce caffeine, chocolate, and citrus such as lemons, oranges, limes. Avoid tomatoes and other foods that are acidic. And some people are affected by spicy greasy foods but not all.
3. If you are overweight, do what you can to lose a few pounds as this can make a difference.
4. Don't eat for a couple of hours before you go to bed.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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