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Chronic Cough Workup, Part III
Eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) is an airway inflammation affecting all sizes of airways, which causes a chronic cough, but no wheezing. It is distinguished from asthma and cough variant asthma by normal spirometry tests (always) and a negative inhalation challenge test , although sputum tests and eNO demonstrate an eosinophilic airway inflammation. Cough reflex sensitivity is normal in patients with EB.
Inhaled corticosteroids effectively suppress the superficial airway inflammation of EB, but unlike typical asthma, bronchodilators such as Albuterol are not helpful (because such patients have no bronchoconstriction). About 20% of patients with EB develop asthma over the years, but this risk may be reduced by inhaled corticosteroid therapy. In others, the EB just resolves by itself.
Atopic cough is a category recently proposed by Japanese investigators. It has all the features of EB except that cough reflex sensitivity (CRS) is abnormally high and antihistamine therapy is usually successful (as with allergic rhinitis), but there is no evidence of allergic rhinitis (hayfever).
Sino-bronchial syndrome (SBS) is a new name for rhinitis causing sinusitis which causes post-nasal drainage (PND) which leads to chronic throat-clearing and cough. Sinusitis can be confirmed by a sinus CT scan, but PND and sinusitis symptoms are usually enough evidence to confirm sinusitis. Many such patients have allergies which affect their nose, but no lower airway inflammation (thus spirometry, MCT, and sputum eosinophil levels are normal). The cough reflex is usually normal. The usual sinusitis treatments are usually beneficial, and chronic erythromycin therapy usually eliminates the chronic cough.
GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) can cause a chronic cough and is increasingly common as people gain weight, but also occurs in thin people and may not cause the classic symptom of heartburn after eating a heavy or spicy meal. The gold standard test for GERD uses a 24 hour esophageal pH probe, but this is expensive and poorly accepted by many patients, so GERD is usually ruled out as the cause of a chronic cough by a 3-6 month trial of a proton pump inhibitor pill (PPI, which eliminates gastric acid production).
Chronic idiopathic cough (CIC) is a category proposed by British investigators in 2005. Idiopathic means that all other causes of a chronic cough have been ruled out, so doctors don't know what's causing it. Such patients have an increased cough reflex sensitivity, as measured by inhalation of increasing concentrations of capsaicin. None of the other tests mentioned above are abnormal. Capsaicin is the "spice" or heat from chili peppers and the principal ingredient of Mace, but the CRS test uses low concentrations and is very safe and well-tolerated by patients. The onset of the chronic cough of CIC is often with a upper respiratory viral infection (URI), but the post viral URI cough of most people resolves within a few days or weeks. Interestingly, the only abnormal test of those with multiple chemical sensitivity is also cough reflex sensitivity.
Chronic Cough Workup, Part I
Chronic Cough Workup, Part II
Related Topics: Asthma Complexities, Coughs: Home Remedies
Inhaled corticosteroids effectively suppress the superficial airway inflammation of EB, but unlike typical asthma, bronchodilators such as Albuterol are not helpful (because such patients have no bronchoconstriction). About 20% of patients with EB develop asthma over the years, but this risk may be reduced by inhaled corticosteroid therapy. In others, the EB just resolves by itself.
Atopic cough is a category recently proposed by Japanese investigators. It has all the features of EB except that cough reflex sensitivity (CRS) is abnormally high and antihistamine therapy is usually successful (as with allergic rhinitis), but there is no evidence of allergic rhinitis (hayfever).
Sino-bronchial syndrome (SBS) is a new name for rhinitis causing sinusitis which causes post-nasal drainage (PND) which leads to chronic throat-clearing and cough. Sinusitis can be confirmed by a sinus CT scan, but PND and sinusitis symptoms are usually enough evidence to confirm sinusitis. Many such patients have allergies which affect their nose, but no lower airway inflammation (thus spirometry, MCT, and sputum eosinophil levels are normal). The cough reflex is usually normal. The usual sinusitis treatments are usually beneficial, and chronic erythromycin therapy usually eliminates the chronic cough.
GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) can cause a chronic cough and is increasingly common as people gain weight, but also occurs in thin people and may not cause the classic symptom of heartburn after eating a heavy or spicy meal. The gold standard test for GERD uses a 24 hour esophageal pH probe, but this is expensive and poorly accepted by many patients, so GERD is usually ruled out as the cause of a chronic cough by a 3-6 month trial of a proton pump inhibitor pill (PPI, which eliminates gastric acid production).
Chronic idiopathic cough (CIC) is a category proposed by British investigators in 2005. Idiopathic means that all other causes of a chronic cough have been ruled out, so doctors don't know what's causing it. Such patients have an increased cough reflex sensitivity, as measured by inhalation of increasing concentrations of capsaicin. None of the other tests mentioned above are abnormal. Capsaicin is the "spice" or heat from chili peppers and the principal ingredient of Mace, but the CRS test uses low concentrations and is very safe and well-tolerated by patients. The onset of the chronic cough of CIC is often with a upper respiratory viral infection (URI), but the post viral URI cough of most people resolves within a few days or weeks. Interestingly, the only abnormal test of those with multiple chemical sensitivity is also cough reflex sensitivity.
Chronic Cough Workup, Part I
Chronic Cough Workup, Part II
Related Topics: Asthma Complexities, Coughs: Home Remedies
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75 Comments:
"chronic erythromycin therapy usually eliminates the chronic cough."
Why is erythromycin the antimicrobial of choice? Is there a specific bacteria that they believe cause this, or is erythromycin broad spectrum enough to treat most of the likely culprits?
Just curious.
I have a son wich is only 3yrs old I want to know how can I treat his asthma and that chronic cough. he takes pulmicort
last year i had a post-URI cough that lasted a few weeks. my (excellent) doc prescribed me an inhaled steroid (advair diskus) which seemed to ease the cough away.
now i am in the same boat again, but only two weeks out. any danger in starting the steroid too early post URI?
To OWL: It is my understanding that many antibiotics (including emycin and zithromax) may help the lungs by a direct effect on improving mucociliary clearance, even in the absence of a bacterial infection.
My sister has had a cough since July 2006. She 's been diagnosed with pnuemonia twice, seen an ENT,allergist, infectious disease doctor, PCP and a pulmonologist. She has a low IGg level, ct. scan showed thickening on one lung and resolution of another. She's been on antibiotics and steroid. Still coughing any advice?
I cough after eating. I only cough once, but it happens after almost every big meal. Is this a sign of a digestive system issue? Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.
I have had a chronic cough since 2006. It's like I'm choking. My throat is sensative. I cough when I eat,when I brush my teeth,when I use my voice or it happens any time of day or night. I use tussionex. If it was'nt for this medicine I couldn't function. My vocalcords feel irratated and my voice cracks. Sometimes I strain so hard when I'm coughing I throw up. Can anyone out there please help me. miserable
Just like R's mom, I have been coughing for at about three years with the same symptoms. Coughing when I try to sing, when I talk a lot, sometimes just when I swallow I'll choke and start coughing. Sometimes my throat gets very irritated, other times just a little. People think I have the flu all the time. I've taken meds for post nasal drip,asthma,allergies and acid reflux over the years. Nothing has worked and I'm still coughing, year round. No time of the year is better or worse. I'm miserable and the drs. just don't know anymore.
I have also had a cough for a little over 2 years. I am about at the end of my rope with it. I have been to the Pulmonary Specialist, Allergist, ENT Specialist. No one can give me a reason. I also have all of the problems with constant coughing when I talk, sleep, eat, sometimes so bad I throw up. My daughter is getting married August 2nd and I am so afraid I am going to ruin her wedding by coughing thru the ceremony. Any advice from anyone is greatly appreciated. I dont know where to go with this. My doctor says I just might have to live with it. Thats not good enough for me.
Here is a puzzeling challenge. I have had a cough for about 10 years and it gets worse as I get older. When my stomach gurgels I cough or when I am very hungry. I just can't stop coughing, so I drink water(temproary fix). I have seen a Pulmonary doctor as well as as a stomach doctor. I was having one of my cough attacks during a CT scan (real bad attack I wanted to puke) and it came back clear so obviously it is not my lungs.
My grandmother has had a chronic cough for years. Now, my aunt who lives with her is starting to cough just as bad. Does anyone else have people in their same household with chronic cough too? I'm wondering if maybe they have something contaminating their home now because of their coughing- mold, asbestos, etc. Any thoughts?
to Allison-
My father has had a cough for a few years. After his wife passed away I moved in to help take care of him. In the 3 years I have resided, I have also gained this cough. I know it is something in the house. I just don't know what. My cough is now all day and night, often throwing up, and my throat feels constricted all the time. I have placed a small 8 inch fan at my computer desk, approx 1 foot away, blowing on the side of my face. I find it helps keep the coughing at bay. Obviously there is nothing I can do about it while sleeping or away from my desk.
i have had a "cronic cough" for over two years. i have been to a pulmonary dr. my general dr. as well as an allergist. i have been on inhalers, cough meds, meds for asthma. i have had a chest x-ray, a full pulmonary funtion test and passed. all the doctors state that is is not asthma. in the mean time i am taking an anhistamine. that helps a bit. i also always have cough drops on hand and water. that keeps the cronic cough at bay a bit. i also irrigate out my sinusis with the nepi pot. doe s anyone have any suggestions what else i can try ?? the constant coughing is very mentally and physically draining..
christine :(
I can't believe how many of us are out here "coughing our guts out" with no help from the medical community. My symptoms are the same as many: any time, no triggers, cough until I nearly faint sometimes. Embarrassing, irritating, and lift changing. When one is driving, it can even be dangerous to others! With all the medical "experts" in our country, why is the cough such a problem?
I'm only 24 years old and my cough has taken over my life. I can't sleep well, it makes me throw up and I can barely play with my son without having an episode. I've been to so many doctors and specialists but so far no luck...... We have to do something
Seriously...we are all suffering from some sort of multiple chemical sensativity. We are bombarded day after day w/cleaners and perfumes and heavy saturating scents that have overwhelmed our systems and our bodies can't take it anymore!! I'm reading all of these comments and I suffer from the same things, due to facial surgery and or a facial blow I too suffer from a chronic cough and it comes on after a heavy scent has crossed my path. Make the doctors sit up and take notice that we exist and need help!!
I have a 7 yr. old daughter who has had a chronic dry cough for about a year now. We've been through doctors, allergists, and now even chiropractor(sounds weird I know) but nothing seems to help we've been through sinus/allergy meds and inhalers and cough meds nothing works. No one can seem to figure out what it is. any suggestions???
Hello, I also have a dry cough that I feel is getting worse and don't know what to do. I suck on cough drops all the time and also through the night. I was hoping one of you would have a suggestion. Thank you. Sharon
Karen
I have been treated for over a year with several antihistmines to no avail. I do not smoke and I never have. I work in the healthcare setting and now I have been told that I have staph. What should I do??? The cough and mucus have been present for over a year.
Thanks!
I have had a chronic cough for approximately one month. I have been on two rounds of antibiotics. This seems to help for about one week. I have also been on prednisone and several different inhalers. I use a nebulizer 4x a day. All thias helps for about 30-45 minutes. Then I am coughing again. I cough til I feel like I am going to pass out. I've had chest x-rays ad sinus x-rays. I take an antihistamine daily along with cingular and symbicort. I cannot even laugh with my kids without having an episode.
I was beginning to think I was crazy, it's such a relief to hear other people explaining the same exact symptoms. I even tried sinus surgery 5yrs ago to widen my passages, that didn't even cure my cough. I'm driving everyone nuts with my constant cough. I feel like I run from doctor to doctor because I'm so desparate!
To Alison, yes dear if you are in a household with a mold spore and or dust, pollen and other irritants like smoke,others in the household will cough too.I can tell if my asthmatic bronchitis is caused by an enviornmental issue because my landlord also has attacks.I use Albuterol and Advair,with little success with the coughing but it does help breathing.
Unfortunately the only thing that helps me during long attacks is using opiates,like codiene.Too bad they're addictive.
I just visited a web site that advocated using a Nebulizer with Colloidal Silver to wipe out Bronchitis in a few days.It sounded interesting ,but I doubt that insurance plans would cover it.
Try to clean up your enviornment.And you can try an air purifier.Th ozone generating kind can irritate you more so air out the house after ozonating to kill mold or dust mites.I am not saying you have a dirty house ,but I do and it is a sick building too lots of mold. Good luck. Coughing in Ct.
My husband has a chronic cough that has now been going on for several years and the last 6 months has only gotton worse. They said he doesnt have any kind of asthma so they gave him medicine for gerd ven though he doesnt have heart burn at all. The meds actuall seemed to have made the cough worse. He cant eat without coughing and it lasts for literaly hours. Its so loud I can hear him a block away. I can sleep even with ear plugs. They are still trying to figure out what is causing it but so far no luck. Could they be missing something. I have neve heard a cough so harsh and LOUD. We need help
Darlene
I used to cough for about an hour after I laughed a lot and used to get a lot of bronchial type colds until I got really sick to where I couldn't talk or breathe. That was 15 years ago and was told I had asthma. I've read where asthma causes the bronchial tubes to become inflammed and produce more mucus. About 6 months ago I got a really bad cold and have been coughing since then. Tried a different blood pressure med since some cause coughing. Tried the GERD medicine to see if it was any type of acid reflux. Got sent to an allergist/asthma doc and he did the methacoline challenge test and it showed I didn't have asthma. (After 15 years of taking inhalers!) He believes I have irritant induced vocal chord dysfunction which masks itself as asthma and causes the chords to swell making it difficult to breathe and causes the hoarse/raspy voice I get when exposed to irritants, allergies or stressful situations. They are doing more tests to check my vocal chords. He told me I'm a complex case. I just want to stop coughing. Codeine in the cough syrup helps at night (when it is worse) but can't stay on that forever.
my grandson is five years old and has had a bronchial cough for a year now. Every time he goes back to the dr they say it's something else. They haven't checked for allergies - this little boy suffers during the nite and it's heartbreaking because I can't seem to get him the help he needs. Any suggestions? I live in FL (doowopdreamin@yahoo)
Has anyone discuss there symptoms with a Tourettes specialist? I have been coughing since 1998 (that I remember) and I believe it may be related to a "nervous tic".
I definitely notice I start to cough with changes in room temperature, drinking fluids, caffiene, which made me think it was lung related...
After many years, I realized that I would often cough to feel the sensation of coughing. This is kind of like trying to achieve the sensation after yawning (also another common tic). I noticed that my coughing gets much worse when I have stress at work or home.
More importantly, I noticed something very intersting that leads me to believe it is partly psychosomatic. If my wife hugs me, I almost immediately stop coughing. Maybe there is a stress reduction that occurs with this hug? "nevous tics" are exacerbated by stress according to the research I have done.
Could this be partly biological caused by irritants in the lungs and the related constriction of mild asthma PLUS a psychosomatic component that perpetuates the cough endlessly?
Reading all your comments has just made me feel more depressed about my chronic cough. I've had this cough for about 10 years -- I cough when I get up; when I eat; when I breath a strong odor; when I talk. I've seen an eye/ear/throat specialist; pulmonary specialist; and an allergist. I cough so hard I actually passed out once and frequently worry about coughing while I'm driving. I've also thrown up my food. I currently take Nexium for GERD and I've used inhalers, etc...nothing seems to work. Even my doctor has said he's given up!! I hate to go out to eat because it is so embarrassing to cough every time I eat. I've tried an elimination diet -- this worked to a point, but I am "sensitive" to so many foods, I'd be cutting out whole food groups and eating only turkey and pears!
I wish someone could help me. The constant coughing is exhausting and irritating to my husband.
I am in the same boat as a lot of you with a chronic; however, I don't have it all the time just 3-4 months per year. Last year it didn't appear at all, yaaaa! However, every time I get it, I feel like I'm treated like a person with a dangerous catchy disease! I am not contagious, but everyone thinks I am. After 6 weeks of coughing now (it came early this year-fall), people are starting to yell at me to go to the doctor and get some help. They don't seem to understand that nothing much can be done. I don't even know what triggers mine; however, at the moment, I can't be in air conditioning too long or in front of a fan as that makes the cough worse.
Reading all of these comments is rediculous. I too suffer from the same chronic clearing of the throat and cough from post nasal drip. My doctors are complete morons and have done nothing useful but take my money. The only medicine out there that helps is 1200 milogram mucinex that i have to take every 12 hours. I still can't do many strenuous activities like I could in the past, which is disgusting. You think with so many people suffering from the same symptoms, these moronic doctors and pharmaceutical companies would be able to create a form of medicine that controls the amount of mucous created in the sinuses...that's all it is. If they can find a medicine to prevent the sinuses from creating too muc mucous, we would all be ok because then it would no longer trickle down the throat into the chest causing us to cough. It's rather simple actually...can't believe they cannot find a way after so many people like us are suffering. I've lost a lot of respect for all of my doctors because of this
I have sinus drip with a cough and a spasm that starts by the ear and makes my eyes run and nose and then a I cough. it makes me gulp air,my eyes blur, it is miserable. I have been to drs myself, but maybe some one else has had these same things and can help!
I have had just dry coughing for nearly two years now,I have visited several doctors with no help,none of the treatments they give me seems to work,They said they think its allergy, I dont think so,because none of the allergy medications they give to me dont even help at all.Its just dry coughing no other symptoms,just dont know what to do anymore,someone help please
need some ideas havnt seen a doctor i hav a chronic cough from post nasal drip. my cough is so constant for 5 minute intervals ,most of the time it make me vomit.does anyone hav any ideas, ive had deviated septum operation years ago for my nasal problem ,but the surgery did not work.does anyone have any ideas for me, it would be appreciated thank you.
JoeP
I have a chrronic cough problem for a number of years now. I have been to various Dr.s, a Pulmonologists who says I definately do not have asthama, and an allergists. Noone has been of much help. Drixoral prescribed by one Dr. was helpful for a while, but lately has caused a nasty ED problem. Some antihistamines seam to help a little, but are a long way from a solution. Any help would be appreciated.
Wow, this is amazing to know that I am not alone but I am also greatly disheartened to know that know one has found an effective cure. I cough until the world goes black. For a few minutes after it is like pins and needles in my body, very painful. and frightening. My cough is ugly and so embarrassing. I cannot laugh without having a coughing fit. I can no loner exercise like I used to. I tire easily. I am on six medications which are costing me a fortune. I tried steroid therapy but gained so much weight. I pray that someone finds a reason for our torment. Cindy in Houston
Twice a year I get a runny nose, turns into major sneezing attacks, then sinus drainage begins, drips down my throat constantly for 3-4 weeks turning into bronchitis/major cough. I'm miserable. The postnasal drip will pour and irritate my throat causing me to go into coughing attacks so bad I end up choking and can't stop coughing. This is making my life miserable. How my head and nasal passages can produce so much mucus and drainage is beyond me - I'm a faucet that won't stop. I desperately need help!!I've been on steriods, nasal sprays, antibiotics, allergy medications - NOTHING HELPS. What dries up constant postnasal drip? Anything?
Regarding PND, and chronic throat claering:
I read your note on the internet regarding phlegm in the throat, coughing, and the whole nine yards. I call it a living nightmare because its severity has gotten to the point that I am deprived of sleep. Here I am at 4:45am desperately combing the internet for answers. It seems to explode as soon as I lay down to try and sleep, usually with immediate, massive sinus drainage that invariabely ends up forming thick, viscous phlegm around the voice box or draining into the trachea which induces immediate coughing. Like you, I also suffer throughout the day with the feeling of mucus or phlegm in the throat around the voice box which induces a constant "throat clearing".
I can tell you this, the whole nightmare started rather suddenly in 1991. Even though I was an asthmatic as a child and had always been predisposed to some allergies, they mostly cleared up by my mid 20s with the asthma declared totally gone by my allergist.
Aside from occasional allergy symptoms to dust or other particles, I was generally free of symptoms then one day, while working in an office I shared with another employee, he got sick with some type of upper respiratory infection and was out a few days. Of course, I infected me, being that we worked in an air tight, unhealthy government building, and I subsequently missed a week with the same chronic upper respiratory infection that developed into bronchitis. Here in lies the rub, after the infection ended, I started to notice a continuation of phelgm build up and started clearing my throat. suddenly, I was clearing and clearing and clearing and before you could blink an eye, its 2008, I am STILL CONTINUOUSLY CLEARING MY THROAT! Its a living nightmare and even after visiting a pulomologist, allergist and gastro-intestincal specialist, NOTHING has worked. So, reading your note as well as the others, is the first time I have discovered evidence that others suffer from this ignominious situation. There has got to be an answer and I am determined to find it. If they can send robots to Mars, they can CURE this damn sinus drainage and phlegm. Lets all strive to solve this monster and expirpate it once and for all.
Good luck to all of us!
I only cough after meal on and off for around ten minutes.The
rest of the time I don't cough. I don't cough at night while I'm sleeping either. I do not have heartburn and feel fine. Someone said I could have Gerds. Since this doesn't bother me I have just been living with it, I'm not sure for how long, a year or two maybe. I do not belive in drugs unless one is exceedingly ill so I just live with it. I find it interesting that many people have a chronic cough and and there really isn't anything anyone can do about it. I would say stay away
from steroids unless you can't function.
My brother-in-law has a horrible chronic cough and he has had it for over a year. He has no insurance and has not visited a doctor at all yet. He coughs continually with no relief in between cough and also makes a horrifying cherping like moise every second between coughs. Isnt this ahorrible strain on the heart and what could possibly cause this? It is awful and I cannot tell him what to do, only give advice that he should be seen. Anybody at all? Thanks
I have had a chronic cough for about 12 years and my symptoms are similar to what most of you have described....post nasal drip causing a very sensitive throat condition. Coughing spells were caused by food or crumbs impinging on the back of my throat, talking loudly for an extended period of time (such as at a cocktail hour or at a sporting event), sinus drainage at any time of the day or night. I too sought medical help from many different sources including a work-up at the Mayo Clinic over a 15 month period. I have been told that it's a "habit" cough, a function of my speaking patterns, a reaction to dust mites, and other equally unhelpful suggestions. What has finally given me some relief is sinus surgery to relieve clogged sinus passages which were causing a chronic sinus infection (found by one of many MRI's) and a nasal spray called Patanase which helped to dry up my mucus production. Prior to this treatment, Tussionex was the only way I could enjoy a social evening or attend theater events without the threat of a full blown coughing fit occuring. Hope this helps some of you.
My husband has had what he calls "winter asma" He was sent to a specialist, who put a scope down his throat and prescibed "Nexium" and not to eat after 9pm. it worked for awhile but then after finishing the Nexium, he went back to his coughing a throwing up flegm. the flegm or mucus is thick, and clear. His cough is like listening to our cat bring up a hairball. Its gets so bad that he does throwup. I am at my end of the rope. Can anyone help me???
Ill have a coughing fit and ill start to cough nonstop in a row where ive exhaled all my air and coughed so much that ill get so light headed, where i lose all sense of reality but i can see everything, but im oblivious to everything and when i do come to myself i get a pins and needles sensation all over my body. anybody have this also? or what causes it?!?!
thanks
I too have a cough - when I get a cold it lasts forever...Certainly not 7-10 days..I am on a high blood pressure medication and one of the side effects is a dry cough - After reading all these posts I think I will ask my Dr. about this. Sick of being so tired all the time.
I was thinking after looking up mold on the EPA website that could be the cause of alot of coughs and even though you live in the same house as someone who doesnt cough you might be more sensitive to the mold spores.Search mold on this site and also go to EPA.gov.On the EPA site there is many guidelines for getting rid of mold.
My 88 year old, never-a-smoker, dad has had a dry, hacking cough for about 6-8 months, sometimes vomiting. Both his cardiologist & pulmonologist thought it was a side effect of taking Altace, a BP med. They switched him to Diovan and said he'd be so much better in a few months. His heart is a bit weak, but doesn't have congestive heart failure or asthma. Advair did make him feel some better, but isn't on it now. Sinus meds don't really help, and it's not good to be on them long at his age.
Post-Altace,it did seem to eventually abate somewhat, but now that it's cold, he's coughing again! It's usually worse in the evenings, but NOT at night, and he has occasionally had some clear sputum in the morning after first rising. It seems to act up when he tries to talk,and in cold air. I got him to wear a surgical mask when going outside for any length of time.
You'd think a humidifier would help, but it isn't. Cough syrup only helps for about 30 minutes, so he always keeps a mild cough drop (menthol is too drying) or hard candy on him.
After reading all these sad & frustrated posts, I'm thinking of getting some alternative or homeopathic help. My mom who's 87 doesn't have any of this at all...thank God.
What a tough problem for everyone. I'll keep you posted if I find out anything in that area that actually helps!
we are all in the same boat,chronic clearing throat, very annoying to everyone,especially me, sometime i even lose my voice from it, doesent ANYONE have any answers???
To those poor folks who are coughing so hard you throw up. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
This has started to happen to me. Do not fear the small vomiting ..this is just a reflex. The signs you have given are usually linked to COPD. Rather than explain it. Please look it up here on a "search". I have no wheezing...just a persistant cough for 3 months now. And years ago I was diagnosed with allergies and asthma as a child. Likely, many of you were too. I feel this is the next stage in life of those ailments. But once you start the "hard coughing" as I call it. Your irritating your brochial tubes and the more irritated they become....the more you cough. Likely you have never had this kind of cough before. It sounds more harsh than anything else you have known. Feels like your lungs are hitting a brick wall.
Well I have told you what it feels like to me. Now I will tell you what I am doing about it. Much of it takes "will power" not to cough. And if you do have to cough....try to control the severity.
Drink milk (I don't care if you don't like it)...drink it! Milk promotes flem and gives moisture to that burning sensation in your throat. Again you will be less likely to cough so often and so harshly.
Do not, "repeat" do not "pop" cough drops! These are only a temporary fix and will often dry the natural mucus from your throat and make you cough even more! I have also taken to drinking cups of hot steaming coffee when I feel a bronchial constriction coming on. This is a very old asthma remedy and it really works well. I drink it so hot that my tongue hurts most of the day. But in most cases you will instantly feel your bronchial tubes open right up.
I think we are victims of a viscious circle. The medicines intended to make us better are actually prolonging the problems for us. I have gone off of all medicines and feel 50% better than I did using them. I have a constant feeling of a slight headcold all the time. This is something I have yet to figure out. Sometimes I feel as though it might be a low grade infection.
I hope any or all of this information has helped. It cannot be a guarantee to all or anyone. But I still hope you can get some relief from it.
Please write me and tell me if it helped.
desi40m@yahoo.com
I posted a comment yesterday about what I have been doing to reduce my symptoms. Now I can't find it. Did some pathetic doctor decide for us all that some home remedies should not be discussed?
desi40m@yahoo.com
The secret for some might be b.s.
As in baking soda.
Over the past 4-5 years, I'd get a tickle in my throat for 3-6 weeks. This year I've had it for months.
After learning it was likely post nasal drip, I tried a few things... Claritin, nasal sprays, neti pot. I saw a post somewhere about adding baking soda to the neti pot and made a note of it.
I decided to try it -- I added 1 part baking soda to the 5 parts salt and it seems to be working.
I like the 'natural' element of this solution and it should be safe from side effects for anyone.
Give it a try. I've felt your pain.
My daughter age 8 has had a cronic cough since age 1. We have had every test under the sun and been on countless drugs. We FINALLY found out that she had HYPOGAMMAGLOBULINANEMIA. It is when you have low IGG levels and your immune system does not work correctly, So she catches all kinds of junk all the time and it causes her to cough. We are on IVIG therapy and It has changed our life. The funny thing was, it was a simple blood test that showed she was not producing IGG. What a life saver.
I live in New Zealand and came onto this site in hope of finding some help with my chronic cough, only to find, to my dismay, there are so many of you out there with exactly the same symptoms as mine and seemingly no help or cure!! I have been to ENT specialists and numberous doctors all to no avail. A few years ago I broke a couple of ribs and was prescribed with the painkiller"tramadol" which appeared to have some sort of cough suppresant in it, although the pharmacist later confirmed there is no suppresant in it. However, this drug stopped my coughing. I found in subsequent weeks as my ribs healed and I no longer needed the pain relief, that I could manage with just half a tablet a day to keep me cough free for approximately 18 hours per day!!! However, my doctor will now not prescribe this drug to me solely for cough suppresant use. I am seriously considering finding a doctor who will!! According to my pharmacist, this is a drug which can be taken long term with no side effects.
i have had a chronic dry cough since may of '08; it starts in the back of my throat (the uvala?msp,or the "punching bag,as i call it). the cough tickles that area; i go into a huge coughing fit. finally went to a "doctor" ( i live in a rural town, we use the that term loosely around here); he "diagnosed" my cough as being allergy driven; long story short, it's not an allergy; i still have a dry, dry hack. the "dr." did say it was not my lungs. so, at the end of my rope. i am under 50 years old, am physically active, and am desperate for some sort of solution.oh, have tried a lot of "allergy" meds,and cough syrups; still get the "tickle". i can't sleep normally anymore because of it
Same here, had it 13 months, one specialist said chronic bronchitis, another said no, it's asthma, but I passed the challenge test and asthma meds don't work. Now he's saying it's bronchitis after telling me for 4 months there's no way it could be bronchitis.
Had a bronchoscopy done, CT, XRAY's, challenge test for asthma, every asthma med known to man, GERD stuff, antihistimines, 62 pricks and 12 shots for allergen testing, missed 90 days of work in 2008 for this when the specialist thought maybe I just need to heal and had me at home on Tussonex, which didn't help. Well the Tussonex kicked the cough but as soon as I went of it, it returned.
This sucks. I'm heading up to Mayo in a few months.
Update to the evil 13 month cough:
Insurance approved the nebulized lidocaine treatments and so far today they seem to help. I'm on 2ml 3x daily and the cough isn't gone yet but it's certainly not what it's been. I'd say it helps if nothing else, haven't had the Tussonex in a day and a half now.
This is progress.
Doctor has recanted or maybe I misunderstood the bronchitis diagnosis. Seems the lab said it's a bronchitis like inflammation in the tissue but the cause is still an unsolved mystery. Research partner is the next stop in a few weeks. If anything useful comes up I'll get back on here.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with this problem. I have so much sinus drainage, that it sounds like bubbles in my throat at times,causing me to cough. sometimes I cough in the mornings from sinus drainage,to the point of almost throwing up.I feel like if I could stop the sinus drainage. I would be o.k. Drixoral used to work perfectly until it was taken off the market I am so tired of the constant coughing and hacking, I just want to scream!!
Just like everyone else, I have a chronic cough that just won't go away. It has been about six years. I also cough bouts, which result in vomitting or cause me to stop breathing for about 15 seconds.
I have been from doctor to doctor. I had my uvula trimmed in December at the recommendation of my latest ENT. This did not work. I have no quality of life. When I go anywhere in public, I spend most of my time concentrating on not having a coughing attack.
I do not know what to do at this point either and understand everyone's frustrations.
I do not have a chronic cough but one thought did cross my mind. First many of you have no symptoms other than the cough and have at the same time become very conscious about it. Perhaps (I'm not a doctor) its a form of anxiety. I have an employee who for no reason would while driving would get so tired he would have to pull the car over for fear of falling asleep. He finally went to the doctor and the best guess was that it was anxiety related. Apparently it can manifest itself in many different forms from panic attacks to strange things such as this. For whatever reason the panic attacks can become attached to certain things. Perhaps the unexplained coughing fits are really anxiety attacks. Shortness of breath is common with anxiety attacks and fear of not being able to breath. Perhaps your coughing attacks are actually anxiety attacks.
There are different drugs for helping with anxiety attacks.
later,
john
I too have been a sufferer of that nasty cough that won't go away. I had sinus surgury for a deviated septum and he discovered a bone spur that developed after a childhood accident that broke my nose. Well, after the surgery for my many severe sinus infections 5 years ago, I don't get them very often at all any more, but I can feel the drain in the back of my throat and I cough so bad sometimes I don't know if I am gonna puke or pee... unfortunately at times both. Dr's don't have a answer and meds aren't working. Sometimes I wish I didn't get the surgery, yeah I got infections all the time, but I didn't have this near crippling cough then.
Also for those of you concerned about environmental triggers... look into the air purifiers, my mother swore by this and you know there is a problem in your home when even as spotless as it looks the things that filter come out with a thick black film on them. Too bad they are so darn expensive. Hers lasted like 5 years I think, but she was also a smoker who used hers on the high setting. How they can turn black in a suposedly clean home is beyond me (maybe from the smoking I dunno). Maybe I'll save up and buy one for myself and see if it helps my sinuses.
http://www.air-purifiers-america.com/product.asp?product=A350W
Hope this helps. God bless and may us all find easier breathing.
I have been coughing for the past five years. One of the triggers is seasonal changes, any time the tempature changes (30degrees one day, then 50 degrees the next) I start to cough. Usually accompanyed with constant clearing of my throat followed by laryngitis that can last up to a month. The other trigger talking too much, singing or raising my voice. I constantly have cough drops and drink water. Like many of you I have been to countless doctors with no permanent relief, they have diagnosed it is a seasonal cough. All of the meds prescribed nothing worked except a presription cough syrup that settles the cough but make me sleeply, so I can only use it at night or when I am going to be home all day. I would like to stop coughing and constantly treating laryngitis.Has anyone found the cause or treatment to cure this problem.
I have a chronic cough as well. But it's so minor and rarely a problem. I cough when it's cold air, or a drink is to cold, I cough when there are strange fumes. More in the moring when I wake up with post nasal drip as well as coughing so hard I throw up. I've noticed if I throw up it includes phegm which can upset the stomach. Albuterol helps in these situations but ultim ately you have to find a way toprevent the phelgm and dry it up with meds or with sinuse rinses. I have been diagnosed with asthma, allergies and acid reflux which all contribute. Yeast overgrowth and stress are triggers too. I do take asthma & allergy meds and acid reducers from time to time but only for certain periods like during a cold or my worst allergy season. I try to avoid the meds by taking natutral supplements and eating organic when possible. There is so much crap that can trigger asthma and inflammation in our foods. Like nitrates in meat.
My condition is generally under control through natural means now. Why aren't vitamins and supplements here? You find plenty of articles here about omega 3 that help reduce inflammation, what about a fungus infection of the sinuses that triggers plegm production, or yeast overgrowth that inhibits the immune system? Grape Skin and Apple Skin Extracts help with allergies too.
Also echinacea helps with bronchitis and sinus infections. Many people do have asthma or COPD as the article states but their doctors refuse to diagonose it if they don't see weezing or tradtional symptoms. See an astma allergist speicalist that can test what you are allergic too. If you have drip or cough up crap somehting is wrong with you and can be done. If no moist stuff then it can be acid reflux irritating the throat and causing a cough. Also food allergies can tigger and cause acid reflux,plus inflammation to any mucous membranes as well as send out histamines that trigger symptoms of swelling and mucous secretion. Try researching alternative health practioners whom can test to see if your indocirine system is affected and they can actually help you overcome some allergies to food, through enzyme therapy and they are also more willing to treat yeast overgrowth. Eating real yogurt or taking refrigerated supplement aid digestions and increase immune system response. Also Vitamin C, Iron, Zinc and D are responsible for keeping the immune system up. Calcium and Magnesium also play a role in relazing and calming down the body. It's important not give up or to take your doctors word for it. Keep researching the net. My doctor reccomended the Neil Med sinus rinse kit and it works wonders on sinus irritaions and colds. A lot of our problems are due to pollution in the air. If you can give your immune system a boost by eating healthier and taking supplements to fight it why not try it instead of drugs?
Finally for the little ones Trader Joes sells great Gummy vitamins with Omega 3. Helps with focus and ADD too. Don't forget about building sickness. You could have black mold lurking in a building or home. This is what they found in the classroom wall where I taught in in which I year long chronic bronchitis or walking pnemonia. Glad I got out of there. Get your air conditioner and heating vents cleaned out and hepa filters installed. Demand this of your work place too. They have to accomadate you by law.
I've had the chronic dry cough for over a year, ever since I had surgery on my achilles tendon. Mucinex DM is the only thing that will calm it down, but it does not make it go away. Tried inhalers also, they didn't work. I have coughing fits at work so bad I have to go hide in the bathroom. Trying to sleep is a joke, the tickle starts immediately after laying down. I've been to ENT and pulmonary doctors, they're all baffled. I don't have acid reflux, but am supposed to take the barium swallow test next week - just to be sure! Also scheduled for a CT, but after reading all these posts, am thinking of cancelling both instead of wasting money on them. It's amazing how hard it is to function when you're sleep deprived!
I am so glad to hear I am not going crazy. I too have had this chronic cough for 17+ years. Unable to function on a daily basis with no reason or trigger why I cough. I also cough until I throwing up to unconsciousness. Been tested, probed, seen mental doctors and taken so many medications I cannot count anymore. I am so frustrated I now take 200mg Zolof just to cope with everyday life...Has anyone been to or requested info from the Mayo Clinic? I heard they take on strange and unexplained cases. Are there any doctors out there that could suggest anywhere else we might be able to get answers or HELP??? Tired of coughing....
I can't believe how many of you are suffering the same chronic cough that I have. I have had this for around 25 years. I believe it started when I had pnemonia. After that every time I caught a cold the cough would linger until finally it never went away. I have so many triggers, perfume, some cooking foods, spicy food, ice cream, air freshner. I many times have what I call a coughing attack where I can't catch my breath and then cough until I throw up, this sometimes lasts 15 to 20 minutes. I also feel very selfconscious at social functions and find myself refusing to go to many things. Interestingly I have 2 brothers who have developed this cough just not quite to the extent that I have it.
I have been to every specialist and spent my thousands of dollars on tests only to be told I'll have to live with this. But I'm tired and would love to find a cure.
I have had a chronic cough going on 30 years. I have had every test availableitrecently went to a new doctor, an ENT and he was amazed at the size of my uvula. He said it is large and long thus probably touching the back of my throat and making me cough. I am having some (uvula)removed and hope that helps. I will do anything at this point! I hope it works.
t
Has anyone heard of "Nuro Loop Cough"? Can't seem to find much on internet and this is what my ENT says I have...My cough has lasted over 17 years, been tested and treated for all the above issues, been on a hundred or so drugs, I am at my whits end... Can't hold a job down to the cough and all the symptoms that go with it. IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE LISTENING TO ALL OF US, WHO CAN GIVE SOME ADVISE OR ASSISTANCE? HELP...PLEASE, HELP US!
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I haven't read all comments, but I too had a chronic cough for YEARS and sought treatment from ENT's and allergists. I had a drawer full of expensive inhalers, chest xrays, and I even tried allergy shots (one allergist tested me and prescribed regular shots yet another doctor redid the testing and said I wasn't very allergic and shots wouldn't help). The last doctor told me to try therapy to learn how to talk without coughing.
I was having difficulty sleeping through the night for other reasons (menapause symptom) and a friend suggested I take Tylenol PM to help me sleep. After about a week of taking 1/2 a tablet before bedtime, not only did I sleep through the night, my cough had almost stopped completely. My friends, family and coworkers have all noticed that I rarely cough anymore. It's like a miracle. After hundreds of dollars, shots, inhalers, doctors appointments, etc. a simple antihistamine has solved my problem. It's fairly harmless, so I would suggest you give it a try and see if it helps you.
I am now taking a different antihistamine without the pain reliever and its working.
I too have been coughing for over 8 years now. I do not have asthma or any allergies. I have very mild reflux which should not cause the violent attacks that I have which make me throw up about 5-7 times a week. I have coughing attacks at least 3-4 times per day. The strange thing is I never cough when I am exercising or playing sports. I have tried every asthma medication, nexium,prilosec otc, and about 1/2 dozen other drugs. It is really exhausting and can be very embarrassing. I even carry a note when I fly that states my cough is not contagious. Any suggestions would be welcome.
exI have been diag. with Pulminary Fibrosis,have had a cronic cough for 2 years, rib's are constanly sore, must sleep in a chair before I can get into bed, this goes on until 2-3 in the morning. I can take the codein at night, but any Ideas about what will stop my cough,during the day. OTC drugs work for an hour!!! help
My children suffer from the same chronic cough everyone is talking about. There cough is due to mold from the apartment we lived in for the past 4 years. Since we have moved into our new house there cough has subsided greatly!! They are still on a nebulizer twice a day albuterol in the morning and pulmecourt before bed. They use to cough every single night for hours. In the past month they have only coughed mabey one night and it was very short lived. I would highley recomend that very one check there inside enviroment for mold where every u spend most of your time. Then get out fast!!!!
Wow, I am absolutely shocked to read so many people are experiencing the same things I am with the chronic coughing. It's kinda comforting to know that I'm not the only one who's affected by this on a daily basis, but it's also sad to see that no one can find answers. I have missed so much work over this because it is physically draining. You would think that if so many of us are all experiencing the same symptoms, the same testings, and the same drug prescriptions with no results, that there would be more research being done to find answers. I too find that ice water and cough drops are the only things that help keep it calm for me. I just wish it would go away for good!
For all those with chronic cough who have done all the workup (pulminologist, gastro, CTs, chest x-rays, allergies, etc), check out "laryngeal sensory neuropathy". I started using gabapentin (neurontin) up to a pretty high dose and it has helped. At first it completely eliminated my cough. My cough always got worse whenever I got a cold, to the point of puking my guts out 24x7 (unless I had Hydrocodone/tussionex or Codeine available to suppress it). Recently the cough is getting worse and gabapentin isn't cutting it anymore, but it definitely helps... Your mileage may vary - I had to do my own research and take it to the Dr. - Nobody I saw ever suggested this approach to me.
my husband coughs regularly. I have known him for 14 yrs.
Every time he coughs, it sounds like he starts to choke, and then it is ALWAYS followed by a sneeze.
WHAT IS THIS? His mother cough/chokes also.
My husband cannot even laugh hard without coughing/choking/sneezing.
Does anyone have a clue what this is???
frustrated..
I have had coughing issues for several years, but over the past two years it has become chronic. It is very dishearting to have coughing attacks every day. I have tried to go back in time to see if there was something that might have triggered the change in the frequency and intensity of the coughing. I had several heart issues. As a result of this condition, I have been put on several new medication and some have coughing as a potential side effect which should subside over time. Enough time has gone by. As has been stated by many commentators, they find that they are not alone with this condition, which is true for myself as well. Due to my various medical issues and the pain associated with them; I am in a pain management program. The mediations (morphine) are a help to me but not a cure. I am still looking for permenant relief from this chronic coughing. I will continue to come to this site as it gives the most information from the population that deals with this condition on a daily basis.
I was sick awhile ago and now I have this cough that feels like something is stuck in my chest I can hear it when I breath, I cant even laught ewith out coughing, and sometime, I feel like I'm going to gag and throw up, its been driving me crazy!. I have no insurance so really would like some help!!!
Also I know mold in my house, which hopefully will be taken care of soon, in laundry room, so I keep door closed.
I am very thankful that there are others who have the same coughing problems that I do. I have had the cough for almost 20 years and no one can help. It is getting worse as I get older. I have been to the Mayo Clinic and after 3 weeks of extensive testing I was told it was all in my head. I was making myself cough for the attention. Right!! I was treated for Asthma for 10 years only to be told recently that I never had it.
There are times the cough is so bad that I either throw-up or pass out. When I tell doctors this they tell me that this is normal for a chronic cough. I do not believe this is normal to cough so much you pass out. Does any one have any answers for that?
I to have been to all the ent's, lung specalists', allergist and still no answers.
I have 3 sisters who also have this same cough. They live in different parts of the US. Does anyone have other family members with the same coughing?
If any one has any ideas I will be open to any thing. thanks
I must say reading what y'all have written isn't very encouraging. I have had a cough for a couple years, but not consistently. Likewise the clearing throat thing. But this spring, both hit me at the same time. I seriously wonder if flood mold could be the culprit. I've been through 3 courses of antibiotic (one sulfa based and the other two I've never heard of). While the amount of mucus is less, I still get coughing attacks. The problem that I have is that I am so out of breath. I walk to the barn to feed and have to sit down to recover . . . usually coughing. Two days ago I had a Pulmonary Function Test (don't know the results yet) but I was completely wiped out all day yesterday.
I guess after reading you comments I will at least be aware enough to ask questions, and push really hard to find the underlying problem and not just work to cover up the symptoms.
Thanks so much for your unplanned support.
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