Expert: Ronda Snow, Ph.D. - 1/7/2004

Question
My mom has a chonic cough. It's usually worse at night. Her doctor thinks it's due to acid reflux. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks, a Concern Daughter

Answer
Unfortunately, you don't give me enough information to give any real answer to this, and it certainly isn't my place to second guess your mom's doctor.

Reflux CAN be related to cough. It can cause sinusitis and other odd symptoms you wouldn't ordinarily relate to reflux. As long as your mom is confident that her doctor is not missing anything more serious, why not just try the common sense things for reflux and see if it helps? Her doctor might give her some stomach medicine, but other natural helps to that can include putting a brick under the top bedlegs to sleep on a gentle incline (not prop up on pillows), be sure to eat well, avoiding large or rich meals at night, stop eating a couple of hours before lying down to sleep, that sort of thing. A cup of NATURAL (not arificially flavored)peppermint leaf tea is generally harmless and some people find it soothing for stomach problems.

If the common sense measures, coupled with the treatment prescribed by her doctor don't seem to be helping, then she should talk to her doctor again so they can sort things through further. If SHE wants natural or alternative medicine help in addition to that...she would get the best results from seeing a practitioner in person for a style of healing that suits her / makes her feel the most comfortable. If she is pressured into it, or not confident in the natural methods, then the results are seldom as good, and perhaps mainstream medicine is her best choice...but we have to let her answer that one.

Best wishes to you both.
Baihu