After months of persistent coughing, a 39-year-old woman went to the doctor and discovered a surprising cause.

GĐXH - Ms. Hoa (39 years old) had a persistent cough for many months, initially mistaken for a respiratory illness. Doctors discovered that her cough was caused by gastroesophageal reflux and required treatment to prevent it from worsening.

According to information from Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Hoa (a resident of Ho Chi Minh City) came to the hospital for examination due to symptoms of coughing, heartburn, and nausea. Thinking she had a respiratory illness, Ms. Hoa went to a respiratory clinic near her home and was prescribed medication for bronchitis.

However, after 3 months of treatment, her cough showed no signs of improvement. The coughing fits often came in the middle of the night and lasted for hours, severely affecting her sleep and health, so she went to the hospital for examination.

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On March 25th, Dr. Doan Hoang Long, a specialist in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery, stated that Ms. Hoa underwent diagnostic tests to rule out respiratory causes. The patient had esophageal pH resistance measurements taken over 24 hours to assess the relationship between reflux and clinical symptoms. Acid reflux is identified when the pH is less than 4 for at least 5 seconds during the reflux process. Conversely, if the pH is greater than 4, the reflux is not acid-induced. The results showed that Ms. Hoa suffered from acid reflux, which was the cause of her chronic nighttime coughs.

Ms. Hoa was prescribed medication, along with lifestyle changes, exercise, and a healthy diet. After two months of consistently taking medication, attending regular check-ups, and making lifestyle changes, Ms. Hoa's cough completely disappeared.

Be alert for signs of coughing due to acid reflux.

According to Doctor Hoang Long, coughs caused by gastroesophageal reflux account for over 25% of chronic cough cases, but they are easily confused with other conditions and are often overlooked, leading to serious progression of the disease. Although coughing is not a "typical" symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, examinations and treatments show that chronic coughs (lasting 8 weeks or more) caused by reflux account for a significant percentage.

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Coughing is a natural reflex of the body to protect the airways when there is an increase in stomach acid rising into the esophagus. As refluxed fluid moves up and out of the esophagus, it stimulates nerve plexuses in the esophagus and pharynx, causing a cough reflex. If left untreated, prolonged coughing can lead to dangerous complications such as chronic cough; pharyngitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma. More severe cases can cause esophageal ulcers, esophageal stricture, Barrett's esophagus (a precancerous condition of the esophagus), and even esophageal cancer.

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) often experience symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux after meals or at night. Bloating, indigestion, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, laryngitis, and sleep disturbances may also occur. However, in many cases, coughing is the only symptom, so patients often consult a respiratory or ear, nose, and throat specialist before seeking a gastroenterologist.

What to do if you have a cough due to acid reflux?

Depending on the severity of the condition, doctors will prescribe appropriate treatment such as lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery. In addition, prevention involves addressing risk factors such as eating smaller meals, limiting foods that irritate the stomach (spicy, greasy, citrus fruits, coffee, fast food, etc.), maintaining gentle exercise, balancing work and rest time, managing stress, and keeping a positive and cheerful attitude.

Dr. Long emphasized that coughs caused by gastroesophageal reflux are difficult to diagnose; therefore, when experiencing persistent coughs, it is necessary to visit reputable medical facilities and hospitals with specialized equipment for accurate examination, diagnosis, and specific treatment.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/ho-dai-dang-nhieu-thang-khong-khoi-nguoi-phu-nu-39-tuoi-di-kham-phat-hien-nguyen-nhan-bat-ngo-172250325102656218.htm