Chronic Constant Dry Cough

[cc1263]

I have had a dry cough for about four years now.  Lately, it's sometimes a productive cough.  I was told I have asthma and I get sinus infections.  I use an inhaler (Combivent) but that doesn't stop the coughing.  It will get so bad that I will start to gag.  One interesting thing is that when I lay down, I have no inclination to cough.  Could it be my tonsils?  Should I see an ENT?

[bumble62]

I have had this for years too.I recently was told of a natural drink product with Aloe in it.I stopped coughing right away and do not even use my  inhalers anymore.How peaceful it is.

[National Jewish Health]

Improvement with lying down suggests that a cause of your cough might be postnasal drip.  In addition, if the cough, even in part, is due to asthma, the Combivent® Inhalation Aerosol (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) is inadequate therapy for asthma.  There are times when cough is the primary symptom or the only symptom of asthma so a trial of an inhaled steroid would be warranted.

If vigorous therapy for asthma does not reduce your cough, especially when combined with nasal washes and the use of a nasal steroid inhaler, then you should see an ENT.  A nasal steroid spray decreases inflammation in the nose and sinuses and mucus production.  However it does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may need to be used every day for several weeks to months to notice improvement in your symptoms.  To get the most help from any nasal spray first do a nasal wash to remove mucus from your nose and sinuses.  To learn more about this technique please read our nasal wash treatment information by copying and pasting this address

http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/treatments/alt-ther/nasal-wash.aspx

into the address window of your internet browser.  Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.