Suggest Treatment For Persistent Chronic Cough
Question: I have a chronic cough for over three years. It started during a bout with bronchitis. The urge to cough is mostly related to my body position. Standing and exercising, I am fine. If I sit, I am constantly coughing. very little cough while I am laying down. I do have constant post nasal drip and I cough up quite a bit of phlegm from my lungs, but it is always clear. MY GP put me in Singular for a while, suspecting cough variant asthma. The singulair had no affect, which had no effect. Then had me double up on my acid reflux medicine, which also had no effect. I do have some pulmonary fibrosis of unknown origin that doesn't appear to be getting worse. My lung function is at about 70% and they crackle a bit when I breath. My pulmonologist doesn't believe the cough has anything to do with my fibrosis. Any ideas?
Brief Answer:
Post nasal drip more likely cause than fibrosis!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
Fibrosis is less likely to manifest with cough. Cough results from irritation associated with inflammatory processes and less likely in fibrotic lung disease. Diminishing lung capacity is the main marker of fibrotic.
I will suggest you doctor adds a drug for post nasal drip such as carboscysteine. This should facilitate drainage form sinuses and allow for lessening of postnasal drip. Hopefully, this can help.
I hope this addresses your worries and helps provides guidance. I wish you well and feel free to follow up with me if need be.
Post nasal drip more likely cause than fibrosis!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
Fibrosis is less likely to manifest with cough. Cough results from irritation associated with inflammatory processes and less likely in fibrotic lung disease. Diminishing lung capacity is the main marker of fibrotic.
I will suggest you doctor adds a drug for post nasal drip such as carboscysteine. This should facilitate drainage form sinuses and allow for lessening of postnasal drip. Hopefully, this can help.
I hope this addresses your worries and helps provides guidance. I wish you well and feel free to follow up with me if need be.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T