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What Causes Persistent Dry Cough?
Question: I haave a persistent dry cough, starts with a tickle in the throat, sometimes have a little congestion, breathing is very natural and free between coughing spells. 30 days AGO i returned from a two week trip to China. the cough started about two weeks ago and praogressiely gets worse
Brief Answer:
antihistamine decongestant combination, nasal sprays
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Since the cough begins with abnormal sensation or tickle in throat and there is an intermittent history of nasal congestion, the most likely cause of the persistent cough would be post nasal drip.
The drip of mucus to the back of the throat is one of the more common reasons for coughing.
Treatment involves the use of : (1)anti histamines and decongestants. You may already be using something like this. It can sometimes take 2 to 3 weeks for these medications to work if used consistently.
Consider adding a topical decongestant such as normal saline sprays or otrivine.
The otrivine should only be used for 3 to 5 days.
zyrtec d, allegra d, claritine d, benadryl d
(2)topical steroid nasal sprays eg nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort
(3)if there is response with the above, may need to add montelukast or ketotifen
(4)cough suppressant medications have been shown not to work to well for this type of cough
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other question
antihistamine decongestant combination, nasal sprays
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Since the cough begins with abnormal sensation or tickle in throat and there is an intermittent history of nasal congestion, the most likely cause of the persistent cough would be post nasal drip.
The drip of mucus to the back of the throat is one of the more common reasons for coughing.
Treatment involves the use of : (1)anti histamines and decongestants. You may already be using something like this. It can sometimes take 2 to 3 weeks for these medications to work if used consistently.
Consider adding a topical decongestant such as normal saline sprays or otrivine.
The otrivine should only be used for 3 to 5 days.
zyrtec d, allegra d, claritine d, benadryl d
(2)topical steroid nasal sprays eg nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort
(3)if there is response with the above, may need to add montelukast or ketotifen
(4)cough suppressant medications have been shown not to work to well for this type of cough
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other question
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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