chronic cough

[olivia3]

3 years ago I developed a hacking cough that stayed with me for almost exactly a year.During this time I paid visits to the Dr as 1) i was retching 2)I had disturbed sleep patterns 3)..although not so importantly, it was socially quite embarrasing when gripped in a coughing spasm to sound as though i had consumption
I eventually gave up on the Drs as I felt that they had about as much idea as i did re the cough, and eventually it simply disapeared.It has now returned...we are in the throes of extensive building work, so dust in the atmosphere is probably not helping too much.
I have now had the cough for approx 1 month. I have seen the Dr, my chest is clear and I have been given a salbutamol inhaler. The irritation comes from my throat, starts as a tickle and explodes from there.The symptoms are the same as before. Is there anything that I could do to reduce the irritation ?  Apart from that, I am a disgustingly healthy 52 year old who leads a very full and active life.Hoping for some ideas. With thanks. Olivia.

[National Jewish]

Irritation from your building work may be triggering the cough again, but the underlying cause needs to be determined. In a person who has a normal chest x-ray and who doesn’t smoke the most common causes of cough are postnasal drip, chronic sinus problem, heartburn, and asthma.  A chronic cough can also be a side effect of a group of medicines used to treat high blood pressure called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.  You need to be seen by your doctor and have testing done to figure out what this could be and the best treatment. You may want to see a specialist, such as an allergist or pulmonologist. If using your salbutamol inhaler stops the cough for a period of time, it may be asthma.

To know for sure if your symptoms are due to a lung problem you will need to have testing done.  Generally testing for a breathing problem starts with a simple breathing test called Spirometry.  It provides detailed information about how your lungs are working.  You exhale into a machine called a spirometer.  The spirometer measures how much air you can exhale in the first second and how much air you can exhale total.  For the testing to accurately measure how your lungs are working, it is important that you give your best effort when exhaling.  It will show if there is obstruction in your airways.  Sometimes this test is repeated after you have used a rescue inhaler.

[starion]

Have you been evaluated for allergies?  The common causes of a chronic cough are allergies, gastric reflux and cough-variant asthma.  If the doctor determines you have allergies, you could wear a mask and/or take allergy shots and/or medicate for allergies to see if helps reduce/eliminate your cough.  Similarly, if you could be treated for gastric reflux if it is determined you do or MAY have it.  You can read more about it at www.NationalJewish.org/medfacts/reflux.htm

Good luck--reconstruction CAN be awful for allergy sufferers; it was really tough on my son when they were doing building/reconstruction at ths school he attends.  He missed 64 days in one school year.
Aloha,
Starion

[olivia3]

thank you for your replying. No, I have'nt been allergy tested, but its something well worth considering, thanks. Reflux is'nt a problem. That was tough , having to take so much time out of school. Hope that your son is feeling better now. Regards .olivia3

[Concerned lady]

I agree with Starion, including about possible reflux. One kind of reflux is often not noticed, because this high up type of reflux may not cause any heartburn symptoms. But the high up kind of reflux (LPR/laryngo pharyngeal reflux) can be one of several causes of coughing, breathing problems, etc.

Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[olivia3]

thank you, I am going to the Drs tomorrow , so will check the reflux out.