Is a persistent dry cough normal in a 26-year-old male?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 26-year-old male. As winters are very cold in my area, I caught a cold as I was riding my bike with no proper protection from winter. I started coughing that night, but I did not care. However, I ate curd and smoked cigarettes. This made my cough worse.

I took medication for it, and my cough was gone in three days but not completely. I started coughing thrice a day. But due to my business, I had to travel. I have not taken proper rest, and have given up smoking. I smoked for five years (3rd, my 4th, and 5th years I smoked five cigarettes a day on average).

Now I have given up totally. My weight is stable. I feel hungry a lot. Never smoked weed or reverse-smoked. I am non-alcoholic. No shortness of breath. My only issue is the cough, and it is dry.

My cough has increased from the day before yesterday as I was on the AC coach train, and everyone near me was coughing very badly. I am taking Montec LC twice a day and Ascoril D 2 teaspoon thrice, which I started last night. And it made it worse; without medicine, I was coughing twice or thrice a day, but now it has increased.

Is it lung or throat cancer if I check on the internet it makes me really sad. I really regret smoking. So, please suggest to me what I should do. I am in tears right now and do not know what to do.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I would like to change the medicines you are on slightly.

1. Instead of Montek LC (Levocetirizine 5 mg and Montelukast 10 mg), take Allegra M (Montelukast 10 mg and Fexofenadine 120 mg) in the morning. Take it once a day only.

2. Take Alex lozenges (Dextromethorphan hydrobromide) whenever you feel a cough sensation. The lozenges have to be sucked, and not swallowed.

3. Take Cherikoff LS syrup (Ambroxol 30 mg/5 mL, Levosalbutamol (1 mg/5 mL, and Guaifenesin 50 mg/5 mL) thrice daily, one teaspoon.

4. Take tablet Pantacid (Pantoprazole) 40 mg 1 tablet twice daily before meals.

5. Drink plenty of warm water.

6. Abstain from smoking.

7. Avoid dust and smoke. If going in dusty areas, wear a mask.

Take the above treatment, and write to us after two or three days. You will make good progress. If within two or three days you do not find any progress, I suggest you take a course of Clarithromycin (antibiotic) 250 mg one tablet twice daily for five days.

When you write to us next, please take a picture of the open throat, so that we can see the posterior pharyngeal wall for any nodule, congestion, or hypertrophy. Also, palpate your neck yourself and check for any swelling or lump.

Do not worry and you will be fine soon. Have a peaceful and healthy mind. Do not smoke.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.