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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suffering From Severe Cough In Night, Pain In Back Of Head. Suggestion?

ive had this cough for a little more than a week. at first i was coughing up phlegm and mucus and now its mostly gone. but now im just coughing. during the day im coughing less and less, but at night, it comes right back. recently in the last couple days the back right of my head starts hurting/aching whenever i cough. is this bad?
Mon, 25 Feb 2013
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Pediatrician,  's  Response
It sounds like you are experiencing a post-infective cough. This is a persistent cough that continues after the acute illness is complete. It appears that your cough is slowly self resolving, which is good to hear. It can take 3-6 weeks to completely resolve.
The cough tends to be worse at night because of post nasal drip. This is when mucus from your nasal passages drop back onto your throat (especially if you are lying flat on your back) and stimulate a cough reflex. If these symptoms are disturbing your sleep try taking a cough suppressant (like Robutussin) or sleeping with your head slightly elevated at a 45 degree angle.
You are also experiencing coughing headaches. These are usually short, sharp stabbing headaches that appear suddenly with a coughing fit. If this sounds like what you are experiencing, then they tend resolve spontaneously. If your headaches are severe you may benefit from a beta blocker (eg.propanalol) that relax the vessels and reduce the pressure in the brain. Please see a doctor before starting any medication.
If you are experiencing any dizziness, blurred vision or any abnormal sensation with this headache it is important that you see a doctor.
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Suffering From Severe Cough In Night, Pain In Back Of Head. Suggestion?

It sounds like you are experiencing a post-infective cough. This is a persistent cough that continues after the acute illness is complete. It appears that your cough is slowly self resolving, which is good to hear. It can take 3-6 weeks to completely resolve. The cough tends to be worse at night because of post nasal drip. This is when mucus from your nasal passages drop back onto your throat (especially if you are lying flat on your back) and stimulate a cough reflex. If these symptoms are disturbing your sleep try taking a cough suppressant (like Robutussin) or sleeping with your head slightly elevated at a 45 degree angle. You are also experiencing coughing headaches. These are usually short, sharp stabbing headaches that appear suddenly with a coughing fit. If this sounds like what you are experiencing, then they tend resolve spontaneously. If your headaches are severe you may benefit from a beta blocker (eg.propanalol) that relax the vessels and reduce the pressure in the brain. Please see a doctor before starting any medication. If you are experiencing any dizziness, blurred vision or any abnormal sensation with this headache it is important that you see a doctor.