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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chronic Cough?

I have had a persistent cough for months. It is caused by irritation in my throat, I dont know whether the irritation is in my airway or my esophagus. A pulmonologist has prescribed four meds, Ipratropium 4X daily, Qvar, 2x daily flonase 1x daily, and generic nexium once daily That combination works, cough stopped. My q is how does this how do asthma meds and allergy meds stop irritation in the throat? email is YYYY@YYYY
Tue, 18 Oct 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
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
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What Causes Chronic Cough?

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