Is Acid Reflux Causing My Cough?

More than 60 million people suffer from heartburn associated with acid reflux each month, according to Digest Health & Wellness. Usually, the lower esophageal sphincter, a muscular valve located at the end of your esophagus, will close after food enters the stomach. This prevents your stomach acid from getting into your esophagus. Occasionally, the valve will relax and open, which gives stomach acid access to the esophagus, causing acid reflux and its symptoms.

Effects

• A persistent cough is a very common, and in some cases, the only symptom of acid reflux. When stomach acid gets into your esophagus it can cause spasms in your airway, resulting in a cough. In addition, your esophagus and lungs have certain nerves that are associated with each other, and when those nerves are agitated by gastric acid you will be prompted to cough.

Supine Acid Reflux

• There are two kinds of acid reflux disease, supine acid reflux and upright acid reflux. Supine acid reflux occurs while you are asleep and upright acid reflux happens when you are awake. If your coughing episodes are more severe during the night, it may be attributed to the way you are sleeping. For example, if you sleep in a supine position (lying flat on your back), the gastric juices associated with acid reflux can reach your esophagus much easier than if you are sleeping with your head slightly elevated. If you change from a supine position to a slightly elevated position you can reduce your coughing episodes and improve your sleeping.

Expert Insight

• According to The American College of Gastroenterology, nearly half of the people who suffer from supine acid reflux also suffer from sleep disturbances. Certain lifestyle changes, such as extra pillows, refraining from eating right before going to bed, and smaller meals can improve your acid reflux and your quality of life.

Considerations

• There are certain foods that can trigger acid reflux, such as caffeinated drinks; chocolate; acidic fruits and juices; alcohol and fatty foods. In addition, smoking cigarettes and extra weight can also set off acid reflux. Reducing your weight, quitting smoking and limiting your consumption of specific foods will reduce the gastric acids in your esophagus that is causing your coughing.

Warning

• If acid reflux is left untreated, eventually the stomach acid will damage your esophagus. Your stomach has a lining that protects it from the acid but your esophagus does not.