Cough and throat clearing
We all need to cough or clear our throats occasionally. When a cough or throat clearing is persistent and excessive, it may be a condition that needs investigation. If you have a frequent cough, sore throat, or hoarseness without common cold or flu-like symptoms, it could be a sign of an issue with your digestive system. You should get this checked by one of our specialists.
Read on to learn more about the causes of chronic cough and throat clearing.
Causes of chronic cough and throat clearing
A chronic cough and throat clearing may be due to a problem within your digestive tract. We break down the causes relating to your digestive system below.
Acid Reflux
Rising stomach acid causes acid reflux. You may feel sharp discomfort in your chest or throat. If you have ‘silent’ reflux (LPR), this causes no chest symptoms.
Barrett’s Oesophagus
Damage to your oesophageal lining can cause Barrett’s oesophagus, usually due to acid reflux.
Reflux is the main symptom of Barrett’s oesophagus and causes throat irritation. This, in turn, can lead to a chronic cough and throat clearing.
Functional Cough and Throat Clearing
This is a condition where you develop increased sensitivity of the nerve sensors in your throat. As a result, you feel a constant need to clear your throat. This is a benign condition, but you must see an expert for the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Swallowing Problems (dysphagia)
Swallowing problems, such as achalasia, can irritate your oesophagus, leading to a chronic cough or throat clearing.
GORD/ GERD
GORD causes frequent acid reflux due to a relaxed or weakened sphincter. You are at higher risk for GORD if you are pregnant, obese, or have a hiatus hernia.
GORD has similar symptoms to acid reflux, as GORD is a more severe form of reflux. To learn more about the similarities and differences between these conditions, read our blog: Severe acid reflux: Is it GORD?
EoE
Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is also known as oesophageal asthma. EoE is rare and causes chronic tissue inflammation in the food pipe. You may also experience oesophageal strictures.
EoE can cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), chest pain, and a feeling of food being stuck in your chest or moving too slowly down your oesophagus.
Oesophageal cancer
A symptom of oesophageal cancer is a persistent cough that doesn’t go away. Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing, heartburn that won’t go away, weight loss, and pain in your throat.
If you are worried about your risk of oesophageal cancer, please speak to us about any of your concerns.
Other issues outside your digestive system could be causing your symptoms. Contact our clinic and we will listen to your concerns about your condition.
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Diagnosis
We will perform various tests to determine the cause of your chronic cough and throat clearing.
During our initial consultation, we will ask which symptoms you are experiencing, how often they occur, and if you have any known triggers. We’ll also assess your medical and family history to determine the correct diagnosis and treatment for your needs.
Tests we may perform include:
- Laryngoscopy to visually inspect your throat and larynx (voice box)
- Barium swallow, which allows us to view your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract
- Bravo capsule pH test to measure the acidity of fluid rising in your oesophagus
- 24-hour pH impedance test to measure the amount of fluid, as well as acidity, in your oesophagus
- High-resolution oesophageal manometry to see whether all the muscles and valves of the oesophagus are working properly
- Gastroscopy to get a clearer view of your GI tract and see anything that may not have shown up on the barium swallow
We might also recommend allergy testing if we suspect a nasal allergy is causing your symptoms.
Treatment
Once we have determined what is causing your symptoms, we will suggest treatment options.
If we suspect a digestive problem is not causing your cough or throat clearing, we will recommend you speak to a different specialist. For example, a throat (ENT) or respiratory doctor may be need to exclude any potential lung condition.
Home remedies for a cough and throat clearing include:
- Changes to your diet, such as following a Mediterranean diet
- Avoiding cows’ milk
- Elevating the head of your bed by 30 degrees or more
- Honey tea, or similar
- Drinking plenty of water
- Antihistamines to counter a potential allergic reaction
- Stress relief methods
- Sugar-free cough drops
- Cutting down on, or quitting, smoking and drinking alcohol
If simple at-home remedies are ineffective in treating your symptoms, you should book an appointment with one of our specialists.
We may prescribe medications to treat your symptoms if your symptoms are mild. However, we may recommend non-surgical or surgical procedures, such as stretta therapy or endoscopic dilatation, to treat a diagnosed condition.
Book an appointment
Our gastroenterologists offer expert private care for a wide range of digestive disorders.
Speak to us today if you think digestive problems are causing your cough and throat clearing.
To book a consultation, please call us at +442074594918 or complete the form on our contact page.