The Chronic Cough Enigma: How to recognize Neurogenic and Reflux Related Cough

by Jamie A. Koufman, Suze Orman (Foreword)

More than 20 million Americans suffer from chronic cough. Sufferers of chronic cough experience confusing and unexplained breathing problems such as shortness of breath and asthma that are unresponsive to treatment. For most people, chronic cough is due to acid reflux, including GERD, LPR, and/or silent reflux. If you've been coughing for months - or years - and can't get answers from your doctor, this book is for you. The Chronic Cough Enigma provides self-diagnosis help and a practical treatment guide. Dr. Jamie Koufman explains how you can cure cough with healthy diet, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies. The book also explains how sick nerves, "neurogenic cough" (the second most common cause of chronic cough), is diagnosed and treated. Dr. Koufman has been a leading clinician and researcher in the fields of laryngology, acid reflux, and voice for over 25 years, helping thousands of patients cure their reflux and chronic cough once and for all. With her guidance, you can cure your acid reflux and go back to living a healthy, cough-free life. If you'd like help after reading this book, read her blog, JamieKoufman.com, and if you still need support, book a consultation at KoufmanConsulting.com.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Medical, Self Help, Medicine, Science

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 11, 2014

About the author

Dr. Jamie Koufman is one of America’s leading laryngologists and has lectured widely nationally and internationally. With three decades of clinical and bench research focused on the diagnosis, treatment, cell biology, and epidemiology of reflux, Dr. Koufman is one of the world’s authorities on reflux disease. She coined the terms laryngopharyngeal reflux, silent reflux, and airway reflux. She is a New York Times best selling author for Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook &Cure. Dr. Koufman is the Founder and Director of the Voice Institute of New York, a comprehensive voice treatment center. She was a pioneer of laryngeal framework surgery, minimally-invasive laryngeal laser surgery, laryngeal electromyography, and transnasal esophagoscopy. Dr. Koufman is Professor of Clinical Otolaryngology at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of the New York Medical College, and she also has surgical privleges at the Beth Israel and Lenox Hill Hospitals. Dr. Koufman has received the Honor Award and the Distinguished Service Awards of the American Academy of Otolaryngology―Head and Neck Surgery, the Broyles-Maloney Award of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, and the Casselberry and Newcomb Awards of the American Laryngological Association. The latter is a Lifetime Achievement Award for research and publications in Laryngology. Dr. Koufman has been listed among the Top Doctors in America every year since 1994.

Reviews

[beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent source of information for what ails me. i know now how to direct my medical team to see things to which their specialties blind them. thank you, dr. koufman. thank you!

[Lynda Heines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr Koufman's first book, Dropping Acid, was such a help to me back in 2011 when I found that I had Silent Gerd. I purchased this book because of my 5+ month chronic cough. After doing everything else, my allergy doc suggested I get this book and start on her treatment. I'm doing that now but still not out of the woods. Regarding the book, it has a lot of what was in the other book, which is well worth reading. However, as far as treating the chronic cough and buying this book, I found more information on her blog than this book. Update: by November 2022 my cough was gone for good. Her remedy for my chronic cough worked.

[Sherry Chycota · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a feeling that the author of this book has changed my life. The symptoms, the confusion, the frustration, and the anger are spot on. I am going to read her book, “Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook and Cure”, and follow her instruction to the letter. There wells within me a glimmer of hope that I can and will rid myself of the debilitating cough I’ve had for eight and a half years. I am thankful to God for revealing her to me.

[Br. Thanasi (Thomas) Stama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid advice for those suffering from a cough caused by acid reflux.

Many never get the associated upset stomach caused by acid reflux. So do not know they have acid reflux. Or they are taking pills to address their acid reflux and the stomach feels fine but there is this odd cough they get. Guess what? It might still be acid reflux.

Read this book if you have a chronic cough.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

After 22 years of sometimes violent coughing, visits to countless specialists and sub-specialists, about 20 pages into this book I recognized an accurate description of my cough. A neurogenic cough, not a psychogenic cough, not a cough cough brought on by post-nasal drip. About 5 days into a small dose of amitriptyline at bedtime and this cough is receding.

I'll pursue the recommended diet changes for silent reflux also because it can't hurt. I've been on all sorts of meds and all sorts of diets (with very little relief) for this cough over the last 22 years.

More doctors and patients need to know about this type of cough and the steps to getting relief!

[Geoff Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

This thin volume is informative, although it overlaps a bit with the author's reflux diet cookbook. More science would have been helpful, perhaps in place of the calls for healthcare reform (I don't disagree with her, I just don't know how productive such calls are in a book of this nature). Given my vested interested in Koufman's research, I wish she'd shown her work more. Anecdotes are great, but hard numbers are even better.

[Beth White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly stuff I already knew but, I learned some new things about Silent Reflux I did not know

[Karen Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book and was the answer to my cough. Her advise has made my life so much better.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago, my dentist suggested I had acid reflux, because my teeth were eroding at an alarming rate. However, I didn't believe her because I never felt it. I did, however, have a funny little persistent cough in the morning and evening only, and that led me to this book. Imagine my surprise when, among other valuable tidbits in this book, mentions of dental erosions and carries started appearing in the text! I probably owe my dentist an apology.

Four stars instead of five because the first few chapters, while short, are DRY. Tedious, even. I started having concerns about the book. But I pushed through, and I'm so glad I did! If you need just the highlights, jump straight to chapters 6 and 9. I had already implemented a few lifestyle changes sourced from other places, but I'm eager to embed a few more into my life and see if that helps my teeth and some recent sinus issues I've been having. Thank you, Dr. Koufman!

[Dawn W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the advice was very interesting however all of the medications suggested for treatment are things I'm am allergic too. My physician is treating me with Keto Green 16 diet by Dr. Anna Cabeca and using two other types of medication with good success. Interesting but there are other diets that work for treatment of this problem.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, informative read. Sadly, doctor after doctor gives me the wrong or unhelpful advice. Take a PPI ("Yes, they're fine long term."), here's an inhaler, give up gluten and dairy. Giving up coffee has been the best advice. But yikes, giving up all three without Advil is painful!

[Jennifer Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was just going to plow through this book for professional development, but it was actually really interesting! I really feel like I have a better understanding of pharyngeal reflux than I did before, and I really liked her commentary on overspecialization and waste in healthcare.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like this book was almost written more for doctors than patients. Some of it is very interesting. I got a different book that deals more with diet and recipes - so I will try that and see if it helps.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat tedious to get through but helpful insights into silent reflux. It gave me the language to discuss what I am experiencing in more depth with my doctor. Great advice on testing, etc. I wish I had read it before having a very expensive endoscopy that was unnecessary.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short overview of mainly neurogenic coughs and reflux related coughs. This information is fascinating and, I think, very helpful for many. Based on the information she gave and the questionnaire I believe I have both types of coughs at different times.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT information, but sadly, it was too late for my mother's situation. I wish I had come across this YEARS earlier, before her situation devolved into an emergency tracheotomy and G-Tube. Her situation was on every page. PLEASE READ AND LEARN. Knowledge is power!

[Sarah Saldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent information. This doctor should be applauded for her cutting edge work on reflux, silent reflux, asthma, and other breathing issues. She offers ideas and hope for people who have suffered for so long with this disease. I pray more physicians read the book.

[Tara Timmins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still having so much trouble with reflux so hoping this book helps.

[Becki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for those who suffer from Airway Reflux, also called LPR or Silent Acid Reflux.

[HJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye opener. Am on to the next book by the same author - Dropping Acid cookbook and cure

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure

This appears to be a general overview of her work. This book left me with more questions than answers.I will have to do some more research on this topic.

[Richard Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information

Very informative. I now know there are others who have suffered for years as I have. Now for a solution

[Shala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally I have hope that my chronic cough can get better! Thank you to Dr Koufman for writing such a helpful and hopeful book!

[Caron · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly suggest this book for anyone dealing with a chronic cough.

[Dee Renee Chesnut · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a footnote in a brochure from a voice therapist, I was informed of Dr. Koufman's first book, Dropping Acid, and I learned about this book when I searched the catalog at my local library. I'm only days into the induction diet which requires 2 weeks committment; but I see less hoarseness upon awaking and fewer coughing fits throughout the day.
It is a quick read of only 76 pages with the rest being glossary, footnotes, and index.
I recommend it highly to all people who have a chronic cough and who have been unable to get a proper diagnosis from multiple specialists. Even if you find the right diagnosis, this book provides better explanations and more information for diet modification than a brochure with a list of only nine foods to avoid.

[Deborah Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick to read, and very useful for those who suffer chronic cough. A few minor issues only I found the book did not add much to her other book "Dropping acid the reflux diet cookbook", except that the author clearly describes two different types of chronic cough and the dietary recommendations that help with the acid-related one. There was not much help for the second type the neurogenic cough. I agree with a previous reviewer that this book might benefit from more science and less politics. There were 72 pages of text out of 141 pages in total - the rest is appendix and references.

[Gregg Martinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

helped me

i have been suffering from a cough which was diagnosed as asthmatic. it probably is not. it probably is this. i will be spending some time trying to watch my diet and this book started me considering my options. it is very scientific, and the author hasan axe to grind against his profession. this got in the way, at least occasionally with the value of the book.

[Carolyn M. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you cough, don't miss this book

To the point, easily understood. Well referenced. Includes questionnaires to help the reader determine if s/he might have silent reflux. Very worthwhile for me. I am starting the diet!

[Sarah Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to access a doctor who specializes on coughs because the author of this book is an MD who specializes in coughs that may be brought on by reflux. The behaviors that can cause this problem are very close to the behaviors that my husband will not consider changing.