How can I treat and prevent my winter cough effectively?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have had a cough for five years in episodes, especially in winter. I have used many medicines, but I have found no relief. Please suggest what I can do to overcome the cough.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

It seems from your history that you are suffering from allergic asthma. But you have not mentioned what types of medicines you have used. It would be better to get your pulmonary function test (spirometry test) done first. If it suggests asthma, you should be started on regular steroid inhalers. You also need to do an allergy test to determine the trigger allergen that is causing your recurrent cough.

In addition to inhalers, you can take cough syrups for soothing purposes and to reduce the frequency of coughs. For example, you can take a tablet of Benz Pearls (Benzonatate) twice daily and syrup Tusq-Dx (Phenylephrine, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide) one teaspoon thrice daily.

Also, if you are addicted to smoking (you have not mentioned it in your history), you must stop it and try to quit because smoking can cause COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Inhaler therapy is the best and standard therapy for the treatment of allergic asthma. And also, you have to try a lot to avoid the particular allergens in your daily life. So, only after the above test can we definitely diagnose your problem, and then we can start definitive treatment.

Hoping for your early recovery.

Get back to me after receiving the report of the tests mentioned above.

Take care.

Regards.