Hi,
I have read your question and I understand your concern.
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux is often associated with cough. The acid coming from the stomach irritates the pharynx, causing the reflex of cough.
Omeprazole is a very good therapy and it has to be used twice a day, for at least 4 weeks. But your husband needs to go through some dietary changes as well. Smoking, alcohol and chocolates exacerbate
acid reflux. He has to stop them, if he hasn't yet.
He needs to add more vegetables and fruits in his diet and reduce the amount of processed/fried food.
He has to sleep with an extra pillow, try to lose some weight (if he's
overweight) an wear loose clothes. A tight belt and weight lifting add pressure to the abdominal wall, thus pushing
gastric acid up to the esophageous.
Sometimes stress, anxiety and depression affect the production of gastric acid, so if you think that this may be the cause, a meeting with a therapist/
psychiatrist would help a lot.
I hope I have helped you to understand your husband's condition better.
Wish him good health!
Manoku Eni M.D.