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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
allergy?
Answered by
MN
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis
allergy?
by vincemary, Dec 09, 2007 09:57AM
hi! im a newbie here...i hope i could get some help regarding my cough..i have been having "episodes" of dry cough..sometimes with some phlegm..since i was a teenager. im 31 now and this problem still persists..it usually occurs during the christmas season or sometimes in april...i've tried lots of medicines and went to doctors but still its here..i don't know if this is allergic or something else..it usually starts after i get a simple cold..the cold will go away but the cough will stay..it is accompanied by a very, very, very itchy throat that i cannot help control the attacks. it's really embarassing especially when im in public..well to top it all, the cough is making my life literally miserable. please someone help!
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Dec 11, 2007 04:57PM
, Dec 11, 2007 04:57PM
The seasonal nature of your cough suggests that your throat may be responding to a seasonal allergen or irritant. Think carefully about your exposures at Christmas and in April and you may be able to come up with the answer. You may have asthma.
There are many causes of chronic cough some of which respond to specific treatment of that condition, such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or postnasal drip. But for many people with chronic cough, the cause of the cough is not always evident. You mention a "tickle" and some cough experts have suggested that cough might be "an airway itch." In these cases, antihistamines may be helpful and, with your allergies, this might be worth a trial. Some chronic cough responds to behavior modification.
Your best bet, if none of the common causes are found, would be to seek out a cough clinic. These are usually found at university medical centers. Chronic cough has also been found to be associated with abnormal movement of the vocal cords, called paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM).
There are many causes of chronic cough some of which respond to specific treatment of that condition, such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or postnasal drip. But for many people with chronic cough, the cause of the cough is not always evident. You mention a "tickle" and some cough experts have suggested that cough might be "an airway itch." In these cases, antihistamines may be helpful and, with your allergies, this might be worth a trial. Some chronic cough responds to behavior modification.
Your best bet, if none of the common causes are found, would be to seek out a cough clinic. These are usually found at university medical centers. Chronic cough has also been found to be associated with abnormal movement of the vocal cords, called paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM).
