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Why Would Cough Persist For Longer Than 45 Days?
Question: I have a persistent cough that is lasting longer than 45 days, what do I do to get over it?
Brief Answer:
Post nasal drip is the most common cause of coughing
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
One of the most common causes for persistent coughing are:
(1) Post nasal drip
This is one of the most common reasons. Some persons are not aware of the drip itself and only present with the cough. It is usually dry.
Treatment would involve the use of an antihistamine decongestant combination such as Zyrtec-D, Allegra-D, Benadryl-D, Claritine-D which are over the counter medications. These may need to be used for 2 to 3 weeks before there is a response.
If there is no improvement after this time then a nasal spray is added E.g: Nasonex, Nasocort, Flonase, Rhinocort. Because it is the most common cause of persistent coughing, treatment for this is usually started first unless there is an obvious other cause.
(2) GERD
Reflux is also a cause of persistent coughing and again some persons may not have the typical symptoms of burning pain or reflux of food or bloating or nausea and may only have the cough
Some persons have more than one reason for coughing. Post nasal drip and GERD for example. Treated with diet changes and medication.
(3) Asthma
(4) Non asthmatic eosinphilic bronchitis
This is bronchitis not related to asthma but due to the presence of a type of white blood cell in the lungs. It is treated by using steroid inhalers for a short time.
(5) Post viral cough
If a person had a recent cough/cold, the cough can sometimes persist for 6 weeks after the other symptoms stop
Treatment for you:
- If you have reflux or a history of asthma then this may be causing your cough and treatment may be needed.
- If you do not have either of these then post nasal drip is the likely cause and you should consider an anti histamine/decongestant combination for at least a few weeks.
A nasal spray can be added if no response.
If there is still no improvement and post nasal drip is still most likely, then you may need meds such as Montelukast or Ketotifen.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James
General & Family Physician
Post nasal drip is the most common cause of coughing
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
One of the most common causes for persistent coughing are:
(1) Post nasal drip
This is one of the most common reasons. Some persons are not aware of the drip itself and only present with the cough. It is usually dry.
Treatment would involve the use of an antihistamine decongestant combination such as Zyrtec-D, Allegra-D, Benadryl-D, Claritine-D which are over the counter medications. These may need to be used for 2 to 3 weeks before there is a response.
If there is no improvement after this time then a nasal spray is added E.g: Nasonex, Nasocort, Flonase, Rhinocort. Because it is the most common cause of persistent coughing, treatment for this is usually started first unless there is an obvious other cause.
(2) GERD
Reflux is also a cause of persistent coughing and again some persons may not have the typical symptoms of burning pain or reflux of food or bloating or nausea and may only have the cough
Some persons have more than one reason for coughing. Post nasal drip and GERD for example. Treated with diet changes and medication.
(3) Asthma
(4) Non asthmatic eosinphilic bronchitis
This is bronchitis not related to asthma but due to the presence of a type of white blood cell in the lungs. It is treated by using steroid inhalers for a short time.
(5) Post viral cough
If a person had a recent cough/cold, the cough can sometimes persist for 6 weeks after the other symptoms stop
Treatment for you:
- If you have reflux or a history of asthma then this may be causing your cough and treatment may be needed.
- If you do not have either of these then post nasal drip is the likely cause and you should consider an anti histamine/decongestant combination for at least a few weeks.
A nasal spray can be added if no response.
If there is still no improvement and post nasal drip is still most likely, then you may need meds such as Montelukast or Ketotifen.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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