Can Acid Reflux Cause Coughing?

Updated on August 08, 2023

Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD

Acid reflux can cause coughing when stomach acid irritates the throat or is breathed in.

Studies show that a long-term cough can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When you have GERD, acid from your stomach backs up into your esophagus. Your esophagus is sometimes also called your food pipe.

This article looks at GERD symptoms, including chronic cough. It also reviews some potential treatments for GERD.

Young man coughing, indoors — Michael Krasowitz / Getty Images

Signs of a GERD Cough

A persistent cough can have many possible causes. It's important to have this symptom evaluated by a healthcare provider.

If your cough is related to GERD, you will likely have other symptoms, too. These can include:

Chest pain or heartburn: This type of pain usually starts behind the breastbone, also called the sternum. It may travel up to the throat. The pain can last from a few minutes to several hours and usually occurs shortly after eating.
Hoarseness: When stomach acid enters your throat, it can cause irritation. This can lead to hoarseness. In GERD, it may be especially noticeable in the morning.
Difficulty swallowing: Trouble swallowing is called dysphagia. This happens when food does not pass normally from the mouth through the esophagus to the stomach. There may be a sensation of food sticking in the throat. There could also be a feeling of choking. This can occur with GERD, but it should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider since it can also happen with more serious conditions such as esophageal cancer.
Bad breath: GERD may cause acrid-smelling bad breath. This can happen when stomach acid comes up into the throat and mouth.

How to Treat a GERD Cough

There are a few ways to reduce your acid reflux symptoms. In most cases, you can prevent acid reflux before it starts. When you have fewer acid reflux episodes, there is less chance of damage to your esophagus.

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Avoid These Things If You Have GERD

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can help improve GERD and a related cough:

Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Limit your intake of acid-stimulating foods and beverages like spicy food, citrus, and coffee.
Don't lie down for about two hours after you eat.
Elevate your head a few inches while you sleep.
Maintain a reasonable weight.
Quit smoking.
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Don't wear belts or clothes that are tight-fitting around the waist.

Medication

Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications. Over-the-counter remedies can also help.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prilosec (omeprazole) are usually the first-line treatment for GERD and GERD-related cough.
Over-the-counter (OTC) antacids such as Mylanta (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate), Tums (calcium carbonate), or Alka-Seltzer (aspirin, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate) may also help improve GERD and GERD-related coughing.
H-2 blockers like Pepcid (famotidine) can reduce stomach acid and improve symptoms of acid reflux
Foaming agents like Gaviscon (aluminum hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate) help reduce stomach acid

There are also alternative homeopathic remedies for easing heartburn. Discuss these with your healthcare provider if you're thinking of trying them.

When to Call a Healthcare Provider

There are a few other conditions that can cause a GERD-like cough. Your GERD may also interfere with your quality of life. It is important to see your healthcare provider if:

Your cough persists for more than two weeks.
You have heartburn two or more times a week.
OTC medication doesn't improve your symptoms.
Your sleep quality is affected.
You have unexplained weight loss or reduced appetite.
You have trouble swallowing or you experience pain while swallowing.
Your heartburn is accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
You are wheezing or have hoarseness that doesn't get better.
Your symptoms are interfering with your daily activities.

Summary

A chronic cough could be a sign of GERD. If you have GERD, you're also likely to have other symptoms like heartburn, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, and bad breath.

You can prevent acid reflux with prescribed or over-the-counter medications.

Lifestyle changes can also help. Eat smaller meals and avoid food and drink that trigger acid reflux. Don't lie down right after eating and try to sleep with your head elevated a few inches. It also helps to maintain a healthy weight.

GERD Doctor Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions.

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