My son often suffers with dry cough. Why?

Hello,

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As per your history, that the cough is more at night and lasts for a long time this seems to be a case of hyperactive airway disease. This disease causes problems, mainly during changes in weather and lasts till the age of up to 8 years to maximum 12 years in children. The severity of the disease may be either very mild or so severe that the child may require admission. These episodes can occur up to six times per year.

Treatment is started in such cases initially with normal cough, cold medications and nebulization and then shifted over to oral preventive medicines like tablet Montelukast to be taken at 8 PM sharp. The course of tablet Montelukast may continue for up to 5 years in total with every six monthly follow up for dose modifications as required.

If no relief is found after the use of Montelukast, then inhaler therapy with Duolin (Salbutamol and Ipratropium) and Budecort (Budesonide) is started as per requirement.

All these medicines are preventive medicines. They do not cure the disease. They only try to prevent and reduce the severity of the disease. This disease usually goes away on its own by a maximum of 12 years in 99 % children. In hardly 1 % children, this disease may progress on to adulthood and may last lifelong. Proper physical evaluation by a physician and a regular follow up is required to start these medications.