Why does this happen with my bronchitis?

[CathyA]

I had the flu last week and it morphed into bronchitis. The strange thing is, I do pretty well, until I eat anything. Then it gets horrible. I don't choke or anything when I'm eating, and it doesn't matter what I eat.......from popsicles to solid food to liquids.........As soon as I eat, I start coughing this horribly noisy/wheezy cough. I don't get it. Anyone else have this happen when they get bronchitis? Very curious.

[peggy]

It would seem your esophagus is irritated.

[CathyA]

But how would that cause my upper airways to become so full and inflamed? I really don't think its reflux. Then again, maybe my upper airways are so sensitive, that moving food through the esophagus triggers a reaction since the esophagus sort of lays on the airways? I've also wondered if it had something to do with my epiglottis. Maybe my inflamed upper airways get worse because they are so near my epiglottis, which moves every time I swallow?
I just like knowing what's happening.

[Rosemary]

Have you ever heard of laryngopharyngeal reflux? It is also called "silent" reflux because most people do not know they have it - there often is no heartburn.
http://www.nycornell.org/ent/Laryngopharyngeal.reflux.html
Diagnosis would be done by an ear/nose/throat physician, who can look for a distinctive pattern of irritation in the throat.

[CathyA]

Thanks Rosemary. I have heard of that. I do have GERD.....or at least used to.
I really think this has something funky to do with my bronchitis and is probably separate from the GERD, since it happened right after I got the flu, and it settles down at night. Seems like reflux would be worse at night. But I'll definitely read your link! Thanks.
I Just wish I could get all parts of me feeling good at the same time! haha