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Is Salt Air Therapy Advisable For Severe Cough?
Question: How beneficial is a "Salt Room" session? I did one yesterday, but I am not sure I feel any benefits from the hour sitting. I have had a bad cough for a month now, started on a vacation cruise with Cunard. Haven't been to the doctor. Using Musinex.
Brief Answer:
Please provide some more information about the cough
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using Healthcaremagic to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
There are no scientific evidences that Salt rooms are any help for a lung infection or other kind of problem.
A cough indicates a problem in your lungs.
Can you please tell me what other symptoms do you have?
How did it stated? - Did you had fever, runny nose, sore throat?
Do you have shortness of breath?
Is the cough getting worse?
Is mucinex working?
Please give me more information so I can advise accordingly what is the next best step for you to do.
Looking forward to your follow up question.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Please provide some more information about the cough
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using Healthcaremagic to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.
There are no scientific evidences that Salt rooms are any help for a lung infection or other kind of problem.
A cough indicates a problem in your lungs.
Can you please tell me what other symptoms do you have?
How did it stated? - Did you had fever, runny nose, sore throat?
Do you have shortness of breath?
Is the cough getting worse?
Is mucinex working?
Please give me more information so I can advise accordingly what is the next best step for you to do.
Looking forward to your follow up question.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
The cough is not getting worse. There was no fever when it started on the ship or a runny nose. Just a lot of coughing. I have some spittle, mostly clear. The musinex seems to help, but I have been taking it for two weeks and still have this dry cough and my voice is very deep and scratchy. It is also annoying to try and talk to someone and being interrupted with this cough periodically. I also use Halls cough drops. My main concern was if the salt room might help in a long term use. I need something. Every time I fly I get this cough. Same thing last year on trip, started the fourth day on vacation and then after nine days, coming home with fever, sinus infection, pink eye in both eyes and broncitis. Went to doctor and received multiple medicines. Took over two months to get rid of the cough. Want some kind of theropy to strengthen the lungs.
Brief Answer:
Cough may be coming from gastroesophageal reflux.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I think the problem you had on your vacation last year is a viral infection which is different from the cause of the cough that you have now.
The main causes of a dry cough can be either a gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) or a cough from allergy.
If it is coming from the first cause, you should have also other symptoms related with stomach- acid reflux in your mouth, sometimes sore throat in the morning, gastric pain, ect. The acid from the stomach goes in your airways and causes the cough. It would not get better until the reflux is treated.
If the cough is coming from allergy causes, then it will go away if the trigger of allergy is avoided.
I see you are already taking Zyrtec and you are treating the possible allergy.
My recommendation is that if you have any of the gastric symptoms I described above, you take Omeprazole 20mg 1 tablet in the morning for 2 weeks.
If worse or not better, I would suggest you see a local doctor so they can examine you and treat according the exam.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Cough may be coming from gastroesophageal reflux.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I think the problem you had on your vacation last year is a viral infection which is different from the cause of the cough that you have now.
The main causes of a dry cough can be either a gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) or a cough from allergy.
If it is coming from the first cause, you should have also other symptoms related with stomach- acid reflux in your mouth, sometimes sore throat in the morning, gastric pain, ect. The acid from the stomach goes in your airways and causes the cough. It would not get better until the reflux is treated.
If the cough is coming from allergy causes, then it will go away if the trigger of allergy is avoided.
I see you are already taking Zyrtec and you are treating the possible allergy.
My recommendation is that if you have any of the gastric symptoms I described above, you take Omeprazole 20mg 1 tablet in the morning for 2 weeks.
If worse or not better, I would suggest you see a local doctor so they can examine you and treat according the exam.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you have other questions or concerns.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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