Esophageal Motility in Reflux Induced Cough
Esophageal Motility in Reflux Induced Cough
To determine whether contraction abnormalities in the esophagus plays a role in
 gastroesophageal reflux induced cough, and thus cough severity in patients with chronic
 cough.
Inclusion criteria:

 1. Adult patients (ages 18-75 years old)

 2. Cough for more than 8 weeks

 3. Additional clinical evaluation of cough including a complete pulmonary function test
 with methacholine challenge and a high resolution CT scan of the chest.

 4. Ability to understand the purpose and nature of the study

 5. Willingness to participate and provide consent form

 Exclusion criteria:

 1. Actively smoke in the preceding 6 months.

 2. Recent respiratory tract infection (<4 weeks).

 3. Drink above the recommended safe alcohol limit (21 units per week).

 4. History of respiratory or gastrointestinal malignancies.

 5. Previous gastrointestinal surgery (excluding minor surgeries, such as cholecystectomy,
 appendectomy).

 6. Subjects with established and significant cardiac, pulmonary, or neurological
 disorders as deemed by the clinician or study personnel

 7. Use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors

 8. Use of H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors in the seven days prior to reflux testing
 (impedance/pH), or inability to withhold such medications for the duration of the
 study

 9. Women of childbearing potential, using adequate birth control. Adequate birth control
 includes: (i) hormonal methods, such as birth control pills, patches, injections,
 vaginal ring, or implants; (ii) barrier methods (such as, a condom or diaphragm) used
 with a spermicide (a foam, cream, or gel that kills sperm); (iii) intrauterine device
 (IUD); or (iv) abstinence (no sex). Adequate birth control must be maintained for the
 duration of the study. Women not using adequate birth control will be excluded from
 the study, as funding for the pregnancy tests was not included in the small grant
 awarded for this study.

 10. Nursing mothers will be excluded.

 11. Persons with allergies to citrus will be excluded.

 12. Inability to understand the purpose and nature of the study

 13. Unwillingness to participate and provide consent form