GERD-related cough

Reflux-related cough is common and very treatable. The goal is to reduce acid reaching the throat and calm airway sensitivity, which most people achieve with lifestyle changes and, if needed, short‑term medication. Helpful habits include: finish dinner 3–4 hours before bedtime; raise the head of the bed 10–15 cm (placing blocks under the legs rather than using extra pillows); eat smaller, lower‑fat meals and avoid trigger items such as mint, chocolate, alcohol, coffee/tea, tomatoes, citrus, and spicy or fried foods; stop smoking or vaping; aim for a leaner waist with about 5–10 % weight loss; and avoid tight belts or corsets. If symptoms persist, an 8‑week trial of a proton pump inhibitor (e.g., omeprazole) taken 30–60 minutes before breakfast is the usual next step, and adding an alginate after meals or at bedtime can help with breakthrough reflux. Because a chronic cough can also be caused by asthma, post‑nasal drip, or ACE‑inhibitor medications, and because red‑flag signs such as cough lasting more than 8 weeks, nocturnal coughing, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, or recurrent pneumonia warrant further evaluation, you should seek medical assessment if any of these occur.