Kay, UK

I had a persistent cough in the throat which went on for several years. My doctor thought it was due to dry cough asthma and I was put on inhalers. However, the cough persisted and my sister suggested it might be due to stomach acid which could cause problems in the throat. I was not aware of a particular problem with acid but did bring back acid after eating certain spicy foods etc. For 3 days I ate a bland diet and the difference was remarkable. I mentioned this to my doctor and she put me on a course of Omeprazole and my cough almost disappeared. I had tests done at the hospital and this showed acid problems. I am now on a regular low dose of Omeprazole and I have no further problems with a persistent tickly cough. If you haven't tried this I would definitely recommend it.

Anne, Liversedge

I suffered for over a year with constant coughing, throat filling with mucus, voice disappearing and on several occasions having to strop my car because there was just too much going on with coughing, choking and streaming nose and eyes, all of which was very debilitating and anti-social.

... within minutes of describing my systems to the consultant I was diagnosed as having "silent reflux" caused by the muscle at the top of the stomach letting in food & drink but then not closing properly, allowing gases to escape, thus irritating the throat. It is now controlled by stomach medication.