Linda Brazer,

Thanks for your question.

GERD stands for Gastro-esophageal reflux disease.  It occurs when stomach juices travel up the esophagus and either enter the mouth, or sometimes leak into the voice box and trachea (major airway to the lungs).  It can cause chronic irritation to the esophagus which can lead to more serious problems if untreated.  It can be the cause of persistent throat discomfort, and in some patients, they can have a chronic cough. 

Other possible causes, unrelated to your GERD, are a growth on your vocal cords, allergies, asthma, chronic infection in the voice box, throat, and trachea.  Post nasal drip is a common cause of chronic cough.  Several problems of the lungs can cause dry cough such as infection, growths, and diseases like Sarcoidosis.

Some medications, like ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure, can cause a dry cough as a side effect.

I suggest you make an appointment with your doctor to help find the cause of your cough.  As you can see, it may be related to your GERD, or may be caused by one of several other possibilities.

Feel better.

Martin Cane, M.D.