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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Asthma / May 2004Reflux and Coughing
It's been suggested to me here, in response to questions on a slightly different subject, that my coughing may be related to reflux. I notice that many, but not all or even most, of my coughing episodes occur shortly after eating. My coughing episodes (you know, not just casual coughing but rather a "productive" cough) are things I've come to think of as beneficial because they clear my lungs, even if they are somewhat taxing physically at times. I also can associate them with, e.g., bike rides and almost any other form of exercise, so I know it's not just eating. They often happen relatively randomly as well. I'm not aware that I have a problem with gastric reflux - I do know that, since I started sleeping with a single, thin, pillow to help my sleep apnea, I have to be careful about eating right before bedtime, but other than that, I don't have heartburn or any other symptoms I normally associate with reflux. Should I be tracking this more closely and/or talking about this with my doctor? (If matters, all blood tests for food allergies have turned up negative for me.) > It's been suggested to me here, in response to questions on a slightly > different subject, that my coughing may be related to reflux. In non-smokers 90-95% of chronic cough (over 3 weeks) is due to asthma, sinus disease, or reflux - so it shouild always be a concern. > I > notice that many, but not all or even most, of my coughing episodes > occur shortly after eating. My coughing episodes (you know, not just > casual coughing but rather a "productive" cough) are things I've come > to think of as beneficial because they clear my lungs, even if they > are somewhat taxing physically at times. I also can associate them > with, e.g., bike rides and almost any other form of exercise, so I > know it's not just eating. They often happen relatively randomly as > well. > > I'm not aware that I have a problem with gastric reflux - I do know > that, since I started sleeping with a single, thin, pillow to help my > sleep apnea, I have to be careful about eating right before bedtime, > but other than that, I don't have heartburn or any other symptoms I > normally associate with reflux. The symptoms when lying down suggest reflux or sinus disease. Of course, it can be confusing because asthma tends to be worse at night and dust mite allergies can also be at play giving the appearance of the symptoms being from lying when in reality they are more from the time of day or the bed. The cough from reflux is usually dry wherear post nasal drip will give a feeling of phlegm on the back of the throat. Asthma often causes phlegm to be brought up fromt he lungs. Of course, symptoms with eating sggest reflux while symptoms with exertion suggest asthma. The big kicker is that while it is pretty obvious that people with asthma will more often than average also have allergies, they also have more problems with reflux than would be expected on chance alone so it is not at all uncommon for people to have combinations of the three. > Should I be tracking this more closely and/or talking about this with > my doctor? Sure. There are several tests that might help to figure it out or you could just try some meds and see if they help.  SignatureCBI, MD >The big kicker is that while it is pretty obvious that >people with asthma will more often than average also have >allergies, they also have more problems with reflux than >would be expected on chance alone so it is not at all >uncommon for people to have combinations of the three. I have all 3, and sometimes I really have to consider how it feels to figure out which problem I am dealing with. Waking up in the middle of the night, I am often too sleepy to figure out why I am coughing or having trouble breathing. I may take an antacid when I really need to use my inhaler. If it keeps up, I will end up trying everything eventually, but it sure would be nice if my brain could process the difference faster sometimes. I have also been known to dream I used my inhaler instead of actually using it. The only things i have mastered in my sleep are pulling myself into a sitting position for breathing problems, and leaping to my feet for coughing spasm (so that I have less in my throat to inhale, either reflux or plain ol saliva). I have been known to inhale either, and both are uncomfortable, but the reflux can burn for hours, once inhaled. The saliva is done and over once I stop gargling it as I breathe. If I feel at risk for any of these, I simply sleep upright. Not as comfy, but better than having problems. When I have a cold or bad allergies, I always prop myself up to keep my throat clear. And once i get past my bad hours, I can lay down again. Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com >It's been suggested to me here, in response to questions on a >slightly different subject, that my coughing may be related to >reflux. I notice that many, but not all or even most, of my coughing >episodes occur shortly after eating. A lot of people cough and clear their throats after eating because they haven't consumed enough fluids with their meal. Most of these folks have no asthma, allergies or reflux. The tendency for dehydration with meals seems to worsen with age -- I don't see kids repeatedly clearing their throat after eating. For me, dehydration is a major cause of respiratory discomfort. I often work in an environment where I can't have any beverages, so I have to remember to go out and get a drink. SignatureAlison Chaiken "From:" address above is valid. (650) 236-2231 [daytime] http://www.wsrcc.com/alison/ With how many things are we upon the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our enquiries. -- Mary Shelley, _Frankenstein_ In article <x63c5qmq4w.fsf@capsicum.wsrcc.com>, Alison Chaiken <alison+gnus20040523T205508@dailyplanet.dontspam.wsrcc.com> wrote: > A lot of people cough and clear their throats after eating because > they haven't consumed enough fluids with their meal. Most of these [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > environment where I can't have any beverages, so I have to remember to > go out and get a drink. So, Allison, they don't let scientists out for drinks where you are either, huh? :-) -- Lou Pecora My views are my own. "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate." (Steven Wright) Yeah you should mention it to your doctor especially if you just got asthma as an adult. GERD is a major trigger of adult-onset asthma. |
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