A patient’s story
Jane, a 47-year-old teacher living in south London, came to LSDC Clinic because of a persistent dry cough that had lasted for months. Her chest X-ray was normal. Inhalers made little difference. She did not feel breathless, yet the cough disrupted her sleep and her voice.
What surprised her most was that she rarely experienced classic heartburn. She did mention occasional throat irritation and a sour taste in the morning, symptoms she never connected to her chest. This scenario appears frequently in clinic and often leads us to explore the relationship between reflux disease and the lungs.
What is reflux disease?
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, often called GERD, occurs when stomach contents move back up into the oesophagus.
This happens due to:
Weakening of the lower oesophageal sphincter
Increased pressure within the abdomen
Impaired clearance of acid from the oesophagus
GERD does not always cause burning chest pain. In many patients, symptoms appear outside the digestive system.
Why reflux-related lung symptoms are often missed
Reflux affecting the lungs frequently presents without:
Chest pain
Obvious indigestion
Meal-related discomfort
Patients may feel confused when tests appear normal, yet symptoms continue. Without a structured assessment, reflux remains overlooked while symptoms persist.
A structured assessment approach at LSDC Clinic
At LSDC Clinic in central London, we approach suspected reflux-related lung symptoms systematically.
We focus on:
Symptom pattern and timing
Night-time and voice symptoms
Interaction between breathing and reflux features
Excluding primary lung disease when appropriate
Correct diagnosis matters. Treating the lungs alone without addressing reflux often leads to incomplete improvement.
When to seek specialist review
You should consider medical assessment if:
A chronic cough lasts longer than eight weeks
Respiratory symptoms worsen at night
Asthma remains poorly controlled
You experience throat symptoms without clear cause
Repeated chest infections occur without explanation
Early clarification often prevents prolonged uncertainty.