Hi !I read your question and in understand your concern.
As I can see from the drug your doctor prescribe to you , he thinks of these conditions that may cause your
chronic cough :
-
Acid reflux - he gives you nexium ( PPI) that low the stomach acid and relief the symptom .
-Astma -
Ipratropium , QVAR( but also for chronic
bronchitis )
- Allergy-flonase, QVAR
Sometimes there condition may be together in the same time ( thats why he prsescribe that) but first have to be sure .
If I were your treating doctor I would ask you some questions .By the answer you give , you will understand what is/are the cause of chronic cough.
-Do you have any
shortness of breath , wheezing ( a noise while you breath)
chest tightness ? if the answer is yes probably you may have astma .And you need to do a
spirometry test to confirm the diagnosis and to see the lungs function.The 2 medication that I listed above are right for you.
-You have sputum when you cough or is just a dry cough , shortness of breath , fever, chest tightness, do you smoke ? If the answer is yes , you may have bronchitis. Also you need to do some other examination for further evaluation such as spirometry.
-The cough it's during the night or the day ? also Do you wake up during the night cause of coughing and can't breath (when something went to your lungs )?do you have heartburn(esophagus pain) ? if yes acid reflux may be present .
-Have you noticed any allergy symptoms -runy nose ;sneezing, watery eyes or itching in the throat or in the face? yes , may be allergy .
If you have these symptoms of astma , allergyb, acid reflux all together , the treatment is ok .
If you have the symptoms of only one disease or 2 , you should discuss with your treating doctor for the main cause of your chronic cough.
The medication of astma and allergy stop the inflamation of your through and in the bronches
and in that way stop the irritation.
Wish these help.
Thank you for using HCM