You’ve coughed. Maybe it’s a tickle, maybe it’s a deep, rattling rumble that won’t quit. You’ve tried lozenges, tea, maybe even some over-the-counter syrups. But if your cough is lingering, a persistent, annoying guest that overstays its welcome, it might be time to look beyond the usual suspects. You might be dealing with a connection between Gerd and your chronic cough. You’re not alone. This is a surprisingly common, and often misunderstood, problem.
Before we delve into the vexing relationship between your throat and your stomach, let’s get a clear picture of what GERD actually is. It’s not just a bad bout of heartburn you experience after a particularly spicy meal. Gerd, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is a chronic condition that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). You can think of your LES as a muscular valve that sits at the junction of your esophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach) and your stomach.
The Role of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)
Normally, when you swallow, your LES relaxes to allow food to pass into your stomach, and then it tightens to keep the contents of your stomach, including stomach acid, safely inside. In individuals with GERD, this LES doesn’t function optimally. It might relax too often, or it might not tighten enough. This allows stomach contents – which include highly acidic digestive juices – to back up, or reflux, into the esophagus.
The Consequences of Reflux
When stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus, it can cause a burning sensation in your chest, commonly known as heartburn. However, the damage and discomfort aren’t limited to your chest. The lining of your esophagus isn’t designed to withstand the high acidity of stomach contents. Over time, this repeated exposure can lead to