Go to an ENT or gastroenterologist to see if it's reflux, and make the lifestyle changes recommended for GERD (look online), such as no caffeine, chocolate, eat early dinner, raise the feet of your bed at the head so you sleep at an angle, do stretching and relaxation exercises, and more... If you already have a chronic cough you probably need medication now, but try not to stay long on a PPI, if that's what's suggested for you. See first if an h2 blocker is enough to help you. An ENT who can do a laryngoscopy might be able to see the status of your esophagus, otherwise the gastroenterologist might want to do an endoscopy, but that requires sedation. And then see how you feel before doing anything more invasive.

Small hernia? Good Drs don't operate on a hiatal hernia that is 3 inch or smaller n you will get very bloated after surgery. Just watch your diet, milk, wheat, dont eat anything for 3-4 hours prior to laying down to. Put a wedge under your heat when sleeping. Relax. Meditate at home. Just don't have a doctor touch your hernia. I have hernia 3 inches and doctor told me he won't do surgery as it will not even make me feel better. Walk an hour early in morning before you eat anything. Walk fast. Don't talk to anyone just walk. That's what helped me get rid of pain and mucous. But watch your diet. Coffee, red sauces, gassy foods, Spearmint, is bad. Write down what makes you feel sick. Don't jog, don't lift anything heavy, don't bend over after you eat, wait 2-3 hours. Don't smoke, lose weight if smoking and also overweight.