GERD (as cause of Chronic Cough)

Diagnosis of exclusion for patient with chronic cough, normal CXR, no other telltale signs or symptoms.

Simply Tx for GERD if typical Symptoms (especially after meals):
  • bloating
  • substernal burning
  • sour taste in mouth
If simply a Chronic Cough without features suggestive of any other illness, consider a therapeutic trial [really a diagnostic trial] of high-dose PPIs for 2 weeks.
  • If no change, drop it.

If helpful, continue med at standard dose or even change to H-2 Antihistamine (famotidine, etc.)  [(& keep in mind it may all be placebo response].

See posting Chronic Cough.