Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedy For Persistent Cough
Brief Answer:
post nasal drip is the most common cause
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
A cough is classified as chronic if it lasts more than 8 weeks.
The most common causes are: (1) post nasal drip - also called upper airway cough syndrome- most common cause of chronic cough , in up to 87% of persons acc to medical article.
20% of persons may not even be aware drip is present. Means 1 in 5 persons may not know drip is present.
(2)reflux
(3) asthma
(4)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- airway inflammation due to eosinophils ( a type of white blood cell).
Diagnosed when eosinophils seen on sputum sample, respond to oral steroids
Treatment: (1) stop any medication that can cause cough eg ACE inhibitor meds used in high blood pressure or heart disease- cough would stop in 2 to 4 weeks
(2)eliminate smoking if this is an issue- cough would stop in 4 weeks
(3)since post nasal drip or upper airway cough syndrome most common , treat for this first
Avoid any known allergens. Consider allergy testing. Had a patient whose drip and cough was due to bananas according to her blood allergy test
Treat with antihistamine decongestant combination along with topical nasal sprays.
The drowsy anti histamine decongestants tend to work better than non drowsy, available over the counter.
Eg of topical sprays- nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort
Can take 2 to 3 weeks for a response, some instances longer
(4) if you do have a history of reflux , continue med because some persons have more than 1 condition causing the cough
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
post nasal drip is the most common cause
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
A cough is classified as chronic if it lasts more than 8 weeks.
The most common causes are: (1) post nasal drip - also called upper airway cough syndrome- most common cause of chronic cough , in up to 87% of persons acc to medical article.
20% of persons may not even be aware drip is present. Means 1 in 5 persons may not know drip is present.
(2)reflux
(3) asthma
(4)non asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis- airway inflammation due to eosinophils ( a type of white blood cell).
Diagnosed when eosinophils seen on sputum sample, respond to oral steroids
Treatment: (1) stop any medication that can cause cough eg ACE inhibitor meds used in high blood pressure or heart disease- cough would stop in 2 to 4 weeks
(2)eliminate smoking if this is an issue- cough would stop in 4 weeks
(3)since post nasal drip or upper airway cough syndrome most common , treat for this first
Avoid any known allergens. Consider allergy testing. Had a patient whose drip and cough was due to bananas according to her blood allergy test
Treat with antihistamine decongestant combination along with topical nasal sprays.
The drowsy anti histamine decongestants tend to work better than non drowsy, available over the counter.
Eg of topical sprays- nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort
Can take 2 to 3 weeks for a response, some instances longer
(4) if you do have a history of reflux , continue med because some persons have more than 1 condition causing the cough
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
