Can Reflux Esophagitis Cause Coughing?

Reflux esophagitis is commonly associated with symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation, which are directly related to the esophagus. However, some patients may experience extra-esophageal symptoms, including chronic cough, sore throat, asthma, or even middle ear inflammation. These symptoms often occur due to the aspiration of gastric contents into the respiratory tract.

In certain cases, individuals suffer from persistent coughing without any identifiable lung-related causes. When traditional respiratory evaluations fail to explain the condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or reflux esophagitis should be considered as a potential cause. Doctors may recommend a trial treatment targeting reflux esophagitis. If the cough improves significantly during this therapy, it strongly suggests that the reflux condition was responsible for the chronic cough.

Clinical observations have shown that treating reflux esophagitis can relieve long-standing cough symptoms in some patients. This highlights the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of reflux disease and considering it in the differential diagnosis of unexplained chronic cough. Early identification and management of reflux-induced cough can improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary medical interventions.