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What Medication Can Be Taken For Dry Hacking Cough?
Question: what can you use for a dry hacking cough or a tickling in the throat?
Brief Answer:
Post nasal drip most common cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There are 3 main causes of persistent coughing- post nasal drip of mucus (now called upper airway syndrome), GERD (reflux), asthma and non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis
Out of these, post nasal drip is the most cause and it has been found that 1 out of 5 persons do not actually know they have the drip. They just notice the cough.
If you have reflux symptoms (e.g. burning in the chest, acid taste in the mouth, bloating, nausea), then treating the reflux may help the cough.
A decongestant combined with an antihistamine would help with this even if there is no nasal congestion.
Decongestants/antihistamines help with post nasal drip. It can sometimes take 1 to 2 weeks to kick in, unfortunately.
Some persons need a nasal spray as well- eg nasocort, nasonex, flonase, rhinocort.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Post nasal drip most common cause.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There are 3 main causes of persistent coughing- post nasal drip of mucus (now called upper airway syndrome), GERD (reflux), asthma and non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis
Out of these, post nasal drip is the most cause and it has been found that 1 out of 5 persons do not actually know they have the drip. They just notice the cough.
If you have reflux symptoms (e.g. burning in the chest, acid taste in the mouth, bloating, nausea), then treating the reflux may help the cough.
A decongestant combined with an antihistamine would help with this even if there is no nasal congestion.
Decongestants/antihistamines help with post nasal drip. It can sometimes take 1 to 2 weeks to kick in, unfortunately.
Some persons need a nasal spray as well- eg nasocort, nasonex, flonase, rhinocort.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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