Cough and Acidity - Are they related?

Though they have different underlying causes, Cough and acidity (acid reflux or GERD) are two common health issues that can sometimes occur together, 

These can be related to each other and these can be managed by medication and some changes in diet and lifestyles. The mechanism how cough is produced is as follows

1. Cough and Acidity: Acid Reflux (GERD): When stomach acid flows back into the esophagus (the tube connecting your stomach and mouth), it can irritate the lining of the esophagus. This is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). One common symptom of GERD is a chronic cough, which occurs because the acid can trigger the throat and airway, causing irritation. 

Post-Nasal Drip: Acid reflux can also lead to post-nasal drip, where mucus from the sinuses drips down the back of the throat. This can trigger coughing, especially at night when lying down. 

Lung Irritation: Sometimes, stomach acid may travel into the airways, leading to lung irritation, which results in a persistent cough or wheezing. This is known as aspiration pneumonia or acid aspiration. 

2. Managing Cough and Acidity: 

Dietary Changes:  Certain foods can worsen acid reflux and coughing. These include spicy foods, citrus, chocolate, caffeine, fatty or fried foods,  tomatoes,  garlic, onions, and carbonated drinks. These foods can be avoided.

Eat More Frequent and Smaller Meals:  Smaller meals reduce the pressure on your stomach and help prevent acid from backing up into the esophagus. Eating large meals can cause acid reflux to worsen.

Avoid Eating Before Bed: It’s a good idea to wait at least 2-3 hours after eating before lying down to sleep. This allows your stomach to empty and reduces the chances of acid reflux. 

Lifestyle Modifications: Raise the Head of Your Bed: If you experience acid reflux at night, raising the head of your bed (by about 10 –15 cm) can help keep stomach acid from rising into your esophagus while sleeping. 

Quit Smoking: Smoking relaxes the esophageal sphincter, which makes it easier for stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. 

Lose Weight : Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, can increase pressure on the stomach, leading to more frequent acid reflux. 

Homoeopathic Medications:

Some remedies that can be found in Materia Medica. Cough caused by or associated with gastric symptoms. Some remedies in complete repertory is as follows

Cough; stomach, as from: ANT-C(3) ARG-N(3) BRY(4) CON(3) DROS(3) KALI-BI(3) LACH(3) LOB(3) NAT-M(3) NIT-AC(4) NUX-V(3) PH-AC(3) PHOS(3) rhod(2) RUMX(3) SANG(3) SEP(4).