DEAR DR. GOTT: I had a dry, hacking cough all last winter. I finally went to an allergist, had a good work-up, and several ideas were put forth. I was told when all else fails and as a last resort, try over-the-counter Prilosec, the heartburn medication. Very much to my surprise, it worked. No more cough! As long as I continue to take one tablet daily, I’m free of the annoyance.
DEAR READER: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) commonly causes heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth; however, nearly half of all sufferers experience a chronic cough with no other symptoms. If the heartburn medication works, you probably have GERD. [Read more...]