What should you know about cough and heartburn?

Acid reflux may cause a burning sensation behind the breastbone, a sour taste, throat clearing, or a dry cough. A hiatus hernia can make reflux easier by allowing part of the stomach to move upward. Gastritis and peptic ulcer affect the stomach lining and can cause upper abdominal discomfort, although they do not explain every cough. The timing matters: symptoms after large meals, bending, or lying flat support a reflux pattern. A cough may also have a separate respiratory cause, so do not assume heartburn is responsible without considering nasal symptoms, wheeze, infection, and medicines.

Try smaller meals, remain upright after eating, and identify foods or drinks that reliably trigger burning. Avoid eating close to bedtime and raise the head end of the bed if night symptoms are frequent. Limit smoke exposure and avoid tight clothing around the abdomen. A pharmacist can explain whether an antacid or acid reflux medication is suitable, including how it fits with your other medicines. Keep a brief record of meals, posture, cough, and burning so a clinician can see the pattern.

Get urgent help for chest pressure with sweating or breathlessness, vomiting blood, black stools, severe abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, or sudden breathing difficulty. Arrange a medical review if heartburn is frequent, the cough disrupts sleep, food seems to stick, you are losing weight without trying, or symptoms do not improve with sensible measures. Repeated reflux can irritate the throat, so ongoing hoarseness also deserves assessment.

Does the timing of my cough suggest reflux, or should another cause be checked? Could my medicines be contributing? Which treatment is appropriate and for how long? Do my swallowing symptoms or night cough require further assessment?