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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Cough
I am a 58 year old woman with a chronic cough that started in late August as I came off pain meds. Can you tell me when this will stop? I don t cough when I sleep but the minute I wake up it starts and does not stop till bedtime. My chest hurts like I ve torn muscles from coughing any advice?
Wed, 14 Dec 2016
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The most common causes of chronic cough are : (1) post nasal drip- this is the most common cause and there are some persons who are not aware of the drip itself but only present with the cough
(2)GERD- reflux is another common cough cause
(3)asthma
(4)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- in this condition, there are eosinophils (types of white blood cells) in the bronchi (air passages in the lungs)
Some persons can have more than 1 cause.
Because post nasal drip is the most common reason for chronic cough, unless one of the others are obviously present, treatment is started for this first.
This involves the use of anti histamine/decongestant combinations which are over the counter. It can take 2 weeks for an effect to occur and additional medication may be needed eg nasal sprays
If the coughing continues despite treatment then you should see your doctor for assessment.
I hope this helps
The most common causes of chronic cough are : (1) post nasal drip- this is the most common cause and there are some persons who are not aware of the drip itself but only present with the cough
(2)GERD- reflux is another common cough cause
(3)asthma
(4)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- in this condition, there are eosinophils (types of white blood cells) in the bronchi (air passages in the lungs)
Some persons can have more than 1 cause.
Because post nasal drip is the most common reason for chronic cough, unless one of the others are obviously present, treatment is started for this first.
This involves the use of anti histamine/decongestant combinations which are over the counter. It can take 2 weeks for an effect to occur and additional medication may be needed eg nasal sprays
If the coughing continues despite treatment then you should see your doctor for assessment.
I hope this helps
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