When to worry about cough with acid reflux

Refluxed stomach contents can irritate the throat and voice box, and may trigger a dry cough, throat clearing, hoarseness, or a sour taste. Symptoms may be worse after meals, when bending, or when lying down. Cough has many possible causes, so a persistent or changing cough should not be assigned to reflux without review.

Note when coughing occurs, what you have eaten, your position, and any wheeze or swallowing difficulty. Try smaller meals, remain upright after eating, and avoid personal triggers. Take reflux medicine only as directed and tell a clinician about medicines that may irritate the stomach or cause cough.

Arrange an appointment if the cough persists, repeatedly disturbs sleep, causes hoarseness, or comes with painful or difficult swallowing. Seek urgent help for shortness of breath, severe chest pain, coughing blood, blue lips, faintness, or sudden worsening.

Ask whether reflux is the likely trigger, whether asthma or infection should be considered, how long to use treatment, and which swallowing or breathing symptoms require urgent help.