As the temperatures drop, coughs become almost as common as scarves and hot drinks. While many winter coughs are caused by viral infections and usually settle within a few weeks, not every persistent cough has its origins in the lungs.

One often-overlooked cause is gastro-oesophageal reflux (GORD). Reflux doesn't always cause heartburn. Instead, stomach acid or other stomach contents can travel upwards and irritate the throat and voice box, leading to a chronic dry cough, frequent throat clearing, hoarseness, or the sensation of a lump in the throat. These symptoms are often worse after meals or when lying down.
A cough that lingers beyond eight weeks, keeps returning, or is associated with difficulty swallowing, pain when swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting, or coughing up blood should never be ignored. While these symptoms are usually caused by common conditions, they can occasionally signal a more serious problem involving the oesophagus or upper digestive tract.
A gastroscopy (upper endoscopy) allows a specialist to examine the oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small bowel using a thin, flexible camera. It can help identify inflammation from reflux, ulcers, narrowing of the oesophagus and other conditions that may contribute to persistent symptoms.
This winter, if your cough simply won't go away, don't assume it's "just the season". Persistent symptoms deserve an explanation. Identifying the underlying cause is the first step towards effective treatment and getting back to feeling your best. Your GP can help determine the most likely cause and whether referral for further investigation is appropriate.
At Waitematā Endoscopy, we aim to make taking a proactive approach to your gut health easy and can offer most standard colonoscopy and gastroscopy appointments within seven working days of receiving a referral to our group of experienced specialists.

Mr Jason Robertson
Upper GI, Bariatric, Laparoscopic 
and General Surgeon and Endoscopist
Waitematā Endoscopy 09 925 44499