severe cough

Im an 18 year old female, I have had a severe cough for over 6 weeks with a lot of phlegm that is difficult to cough up, I also have asthma which is making it very difficult to breathe, especially at night. I have lost 20 pounds and now am 95 pounds and feeling very tired. Im coughing and wheezing all the time, I cant go 3 minutes without coughing and coughing, this is very annoying, please what can I do?? I dont want to see my doctor, sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but I dont know how to treat myself except for my inhalers which are not helping much at this point. Thanks

[Steven Y Park, MD]

Chronic cough for more than 4-6 weeks without any other problems is most likely due to acid reflux. But before you start treating it, you should see your medical doctor to rule out other reasons for chronic cough, such as bronchitis, cough variant of asthma, allergies, pneumonia, etc. After everything is ruled out, laryngopharyngeal reflux disease is then a consideration. If the problem doesn't get better, you may need to see an ENT doctor.