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Cough from acid reflux and how to treat it with homeopathy

Several reasons like allergies, respiratory tract infections, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) troubles, and in some cases, acid reflux/GERD can cause cough. As per some studies, it has been estimated that about 25 per cent of the chronic (long-term) cough cases are related to acid reflux. Acid reflux refers to backflow of stomach acid into the food pipe (esophagus) and mouth due to issues with LES – Lower Esophageal Sphincter (a ring-shaped muscle present at the lower end of the food pipe where it joins the stomach). LES remains closed/tight (except when food or any drink has to enter the stomach) to prevent the backflow of stomach acid. But if it gets weakened, the acid gets a chance to enter back the food pipe and mouth. This is called acid reflux. Acid reflux can happen occasionally to anyone. But when acid reflux becomes a long-term condition happening at least twice a week it is termed GERD – Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

There are two suggested reasons why acid reflux could cause cough.

First, stomach acid tends to irritate the throat which induces cough. Second, cough can occur as a protective way to get rid of the tiny stomach acid particles that might have entered the throat due to acid reflux. Though, the main symptom of acid reflux is heartburn (a burning sensation in the middle of the chest behind the sternum – the breastbone) sometimes cough too can be a symptom. Most of the time this sort of cough is dry that gets worse after a meal or at night or when lying down. It is also a long-term (chronic) cough.

Besides heartburn and cough other complaints/symptoms of GERD include –  chest pain, hoarse voice, sore throat, inflamed larynx(laryngitis), lump in the throat, wheezing, regurgitation of food, difficult swallowing (dysphagia), nausea, vomiting, and bad breath.

Homeopathic Management

Homeopathy offers a natural and effective treatment for cough due to acid reflux. Homeopathic medicines are prepared from natural substances so they have zero-side effects. The target is to get to the root cause to bring about an effective cure. Here, homeopathic medicines help in treating acid reflux magnificently by strengthening LES and improving its function to relieve GERD-related complaints including cough, heartburn, vomiting, etc. They help in managing cough arising at any time in a day along with managing any of the associated gastric symptoms. Long-term lingering cough can arise due to several reasons some of which can be serious ones, and homeopathic prescription for acid reflux-related cough is selected on the basis of individual symptoms on a case-to-case basis. Therefore, it is advised to get any case of cough evaluated by a homeopath to rule out the cause behind the cough, and its proper treatment is based on the causes and symptoms. Self-medication should be avoided in any case.

Homeopathic Medicines For Cough Due To Acid Reflux

1. Carbo Veg

Carbo Veg is a top-listed medicine to manage cough from acid reflux. It is suitable when the cough is accompanied by a burning sensation in the middle of the chest (heartburn). The cough is dry and caused by roughness in the throat. Cough can be continuous in nature but mostly worsens during the evenings.

Apart from bouts of cough in the evenings, for others who need this medicine, the cough gets worse after food intake. There is a sensation of mucus in the throat at night which gets better by sitting or walking. Hoarseness of voice is also an accompanying factor. Burping after eating and drinking anything also occurs. Water brash (excessive salivation mixed with stomach acid that rises up to the throat) is also experienced sometimes. Fullness and heaviness in the stomach along with excessive gas and bloating are felt.

2. Natrum Phos

Natrum Phos is the next most effective medicine to help in cases of GERD cough. It is administered when there is a constant cough. The cough seems to arise from an irritation in the throat. Cough worsens from drinking water where this medicine is required. Besides cough, other acid reflux symptoms that are present include heartburn, sour burping, difficulty swallowing, lump in the throat, and sour vomiting.

3. Iris Versicolor

Iris Versicolor is another very beneficial medicine for those who have acid reflux. It works well for those who have dry cough owing to irritation in the throat along with a burning sensation. Burning in the chest behind the sternum (heartburn) is quite prominent in those who need this medicine. Vomiting having a bitter or sour taste also occurs. Vomiting causes irritation of the throat. A wave of constant nausea is present.

4. Nux Vomica

Nux Vomica is a useful medicine especially when a cough gets worst at night and interrupts your sleeping. In most cases, the cough worsens after midnight. One witnesses a continuous bout of cough while lying on the back while lying on the sides provides relief. It also gets worse upon eating. Drinking warm fluids relieves one of the coughs. Along with cough, vomiting may occur. Heartburn is also felt. A sour and bitter taste in the mouth is felt in the mornings. Mornings are also marked by nausea. It is one of the best medicines when gastric issues hit a person after eating spicy food, or alcoholic drinks.

5. Lycopodium

Another medicine that can be considered for managing acid reflux cough is Lycopodium. Those who need it complain of coughing day and night. Mostly cough gets worse between 4 pm to 8 pm. It also gets worse on lying down and eating and drinking anything cold. The gastric symptoms that are well-marked include heartburn, sour burps, and vomiting after eating or drinking.

6. China Officinalis

This medicine is effective when there is coughing every time a meal is had. It worsens at night. Vomiting may appear with cough. It is sour and may contain food particles. At the time of coughing, pain is felt in the chest. Along with cough bitter burps occur. A weight is felt in the stomach. It is well-indicated in case of gastric complaints that arise from taking tea, milk, fruits, or fish.

7. Belladonna

This medicine is very valuable in managing a cough that gets worse during the time one gets ready to sleep. A cough awakens the victim and it is short, and dry which happens from a tickling sensation in the throat. Chest pain can be felt when one coughs. One may also vomit undigested food. Belladonna is also one of the best medicine for managing sore throat with cough.

8. Arsenic Album

Arsenic Album is an important medicine when acid reflux coughing gets worse after midnight (12:00 am). It also gets worse if one drinks while lying on the back and gets better when one sits. Before cough, anxiety, and restlessness are felt. In those who need it, reflux of acid, bitter stomach acid is noticeable which is a cause of heartburn and also causes excoriation (damage) of the throat lining. Nausea and vomiting occur after eating or drinking.

9. Causticum

This medicine is used when there is a cough arising out of a tickling (irritation) in the throat pit. Bouts of cough go up after eating. It is dry, hard and gets better from drinking sips of cold water. The cough mostly gets worse in the evening and morning time and there is no cough in the daytime. Along with cough, there can occur hoarseness of voice. A burning sensation in the throat is also felt.

 

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Comments

  1. Sophia sandhu says:

    Hi I had dry cough and from 3 days whatever I eat in lunch dinner I vomit and later get uneasiness

  2. Hello. From your description perhaps Carbo veg is what I’m looking for. I’ve had GERD for many 25 years and chronic cough for about 7 years. While it seems to be food related, it also happens completely randomly. And then there are times when I go many hours without coughing. I’m also on prescription medicine Pantropazole. I am interested to try your product. Please advise how I proceed. Thank you

  3. Nuli Madhuri says:

    Good evening. Regularly I am getting cough, water in the throat, after the cough I will get a burp. Today IA am also getting pain in centre of my back a little right side. Today I used Natrum phos. Thank you

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