Unraveling a Mystery: Why This Lady's Chronicles of Coughing Could Point to Her Diet
- Conversed with Constanze Löffler
- Duration: 3 Min
Patient Experiences Persistent Coughing; Unexpected Medical Diagnosis Overlooked by Multiple Physicians - Persistent Cough Puzzles Several Medical Professionals in Regard to Diagnosis (Woman's Case)
Meet a woman, well past her days in the fifties, who has battled an enigmatic cough for years. A sceptical look crossed her face as she sat down before me, questioning if I, a gastroenterologist, could finally put an end to her torment. Her tale was about to unfold.
- Cough
- Hoarseness
- Diet
Uncovering Complicated Relations
As a sympathetic listener, I absorbed her narrative with a keen interest. Below, we explore dietary aspects that may have played a role in her chronic cough and hoarseness:
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): Aging weakens the functionality of the LES, the muscle that acts as a barrier between the esophagus and stomach. A plethora of dietary factors can exaggerate reflux symptoms, such as large meals, fatty or spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and acidic foods. Frequent reflux leads to throat irritation and vocal cord issues, which may manifest as hoarseness and a persistent cough [1, 2, 3].
- Silent Reflux (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux): More often presenting with throat-related symptoms like hoarseness and persistent cough without the typical heartburn symptoms, this condition may be prominent in older women due to altered esophageal motility or gastric emptying. Triggers for this condition are very much like GERD, making them a significant consideration [1, 3].
- Gastric emptying issues: Diets composed of large or heavy meals that delay gastric emptying raise stomach pressure, causing reflux. This can exacerbate throat irritation and worsen coughing after meals [3].
Though other potential causes like infections or respiratory issues may also play a role, it's highly likely that GERD is the primary culprit behind her chronic cough and hoarseness. As the predominant etiology in women over 60, managing her diet and reflux can potentially alleviate her symptoms [1, 2, 3, 5].
The Bottom Line
It's crucial to recognize that dietary decisions can have a profound influence on a woman's health past middle age. Pondering her story, I realized that dietary changes could be the key to unlocking her journey toward relief and greater health. Let's hope so!
[1] Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20367229
[2] Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16534-laryngopharyngeal-reflux--lpr-
[3] Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Older Personshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6768219/
[4] Diet and Nutritionhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6526666/
[5] Role of Diet in the Management of Chronic Reflux Diseasehttps://academic.oup.com/ajg/article/108/6/1633/6254828
- The Commission, in its consultation on the draft directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, would likely emphasize the importance of understanding the science behind respiratory conditions and their association with certain medical-conditions, such as GERD and silent reflux, to safeguard the health-and-wellness of workers in high-risk environments.
- Given that dietary decisions can significantly impact a woman's health, as demonstrated in the case of this lady's chronic cough and hoarseness, it's essential for fitness-and-exercise enthusiasts and those conscious of their mental-health to pay close attention to nutrition and make informed decisions for their diet and well-being.
- In her quest for relief, this lady may want to consider making adjustments to her diet to manage GERD symptoms, focusing on avoiding trigger foods like large meals, fatty or spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and acidic foods, as well as promoting a balanced diet rich in nutrients essential for overall health.
- By adhering to a well-rounded diet and taking proactive steps to manage GERD, this lady could potentially alleviate not only her coughing and hoarseness but also improve her overall mental-health and fitness-and-exercise performance.
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