4 year old has chronic coughing at night

[J.Roth]

My 4 year old daughter has had a cough at night for 2 years. (on and off) She will cough for hours on end. (1-4 hours) She seems to get a nasal drip and it irritates her throat causing this cough. She does not cough when she is awake. We have tried asthma meds., allergy tests, air purifiers, humidifiers, vaporizers, raising the head of the bed, antibiotics for sinus infections, cough medicines(over the counter and prescription) and we don't know what to do?? Maybe someone has had the same problem and can lend some advice?? Thanks

[National Jewish]

Postnasal drip is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat.  There could be several reasons for this drainage.  One is an allergic reaction to inhaling something.  A second reason is a non-allergic, non-infectious inflammation in the sinuses that can linger after a cold.  A third reason is chronic sinusitis.  Postnasal drip can cause coughing as a result of irritation of the throat.  Your daughter may experience the postnasal drip as a feeling of phlegm at the back of her throat.  It is typical for this to be worse at night after lying down to sleep.  A nasal wash helps remove phlegm from the nose and sinuses.  This can temporarily decrease the postnasal drip and lessen coughing.  A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases swelling of the nose and phlegm production.  This may prevent the postnasal drip and coughing.  To get the most help from a nasal steroid spray use it after doing a nasal wash.  A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may require several weeks of routine use to become effective.  Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique.  Share this information with your daughter

[J.Roth]

No she has not had either of those. I will have to ask her doctor about that. Thanks

[ozark]

has she had a ct of her sinuses and/or a workup for reflux?