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Suggest Remedy For Persistent Itchy And Dry Cough

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Posted on Fri, 16 Oct 2015
Question: I have been continually coughing, I suffer with hay fever, went to Doctors & he has added asthma puffer to my regime this last few days. I have no runny nose but the cough is itchy & dry. Not sure if I should go back to Doctor as it has been two days & irritates while sleeping. Thankyou
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
the dose might have to be increased

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

if your doctor has diagnosed asthma and has excluded other causes of cough then perhaps the dose might have to be increased. Does the asthma puffer contain only a bronchodilator or does it also contain a corticosteroid. What about the dosage? Is it the highest or not? Has your doctor detected a low oxygen saturation with pulse oxymetry or arterial blood gases? Do you feel shortness of breath?

If you don't feel shortness of breath and your oxygen is fine and you don't already take the highest dose of both a bronchodilator and a corticosteroid then you should just increase the dosage (consult your doctor for that). Corticosteroids by mouth might be added later if needed.

If you do have shortness of breath or any of the above and you already take the highest dose, then you should visit your doctor as soon as possible for reassessment of your situation with clinical examination and oxygen saturation testing.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3814 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Persistent Itchy And Dry Cough

Brief Answer: the dose might have to be increased Detailed Answer: Hello, if your doctor has diagnosed asthma and has excluded other causes of cough then perhaps the dose might have to be increased. Does the asthma puffer contain only a bronchodilator or does it also contain a corticosteroid. What about the dosage? Is it the highest or not? Has your doctor detected a low oxygen saturation with pulse oxymetry or arterial blood gases? Do you feel shortness of breath? If you don't feel shortness of breath and your oxygen is fine and you don't already take the highest dose of both a bronchodilator and a corticosteroid then you should just increase the dosage (consult your doctor for that). Corticosteroids by mouth might be added later if needed. If you do have shortness of breath or any of the above and you already take the highest dose, then you should visit your doctor as soon as possible for reassessment of your situation with clinical examination and oxygen saturation testing. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!