chronic coughing

[blue-eyes]

I am a 48 year old diabetic, on insulin for 19 years. I also have tyroid problems, high blood pressure and fiberomyalia. The first of Janurary for no reason I started coughing. I wasn't running a fever, no cold, flu, or any thing else. The cough is just a dry harsh cough. I would cough until my head hurt and my throat hurt. It's hard to eat when you're coughing, I've had chest x-ray that was clear, lungs are clear. I've had blood work, it was fine. I've gone through antibotics, steriods, four bottles of cough syrup and nothing helps. I take a nexium every morning and I am taken one at supper time now to. Sometimes it seems to get bettter and I don't cough much and then it hits real hard and that's all I do. What do you think my problem is?? My doctor is going on that it is GERD. Shouldn't I have some tests or something to prove that this is the problem? This is going on the third month with no inprovement. I'm really getting tired of it. It makes it hard to funtion this way.

[National Jewish]

In a person who has a normal chest x-ray, like yours, 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 continue to work with your doctor and have testing done to figure out what this could be and the best treatment.

You should have a pH probe done.  This test measures the acid in your esophagus to see if digestive juices are coming up from your stomach.  It will prove if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), more commonly called heartburn.  Please read our MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/reflux.html for more information.  A gastroenterologist is the type of specialist to let you know if further testing is needed to identify heartburn and the best treatment.

[ozark]

ask your dr about having a 24 ph probe to rule out reflux and/or an endoscopy

[Purified Air]

I used to always clear my throat and cough...since having an air purifier in my home that covers the whole house; I've totally stopped that and found it to help all my children even in the midst of this WI winter - we've had no colds or flu or other respiratory ills.  Here's some obvious signs in your own home that can indicate a need simply for air purification.
COMMON TRAITS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
Affected Household Members initials: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
Dust on furniture / Visible in air
House odors
Allergies
Asthma
Sinus problems
Headaches
Sleeplessness / Light sleeper
Snoring
Sore throats / Colds / Flu
Itchy/ Watery eyes
Coughing / Throat clearing
Lack of Concentration
Depression / Irritability
Fatigue / Naps
Mold / Mildew in basement & bathrooms
Pet dander and odors
Smoking
Wood / Coal heater
Static Electricity

As you fill this in and realize how much is affected by your indoor air; maybe you should try an ionizing/ozone air purifier like I have.  It's removed all respiratory ills in our family with 8 children 19 down to two.