I have a bit of a cough - not sure what to do

I’ve had a bit of a cough since Friday the 16th of this month. I don’t think it’s anything serious or contagious, and I can still do most of my normal activities, but it’s worrying me a bit.

It seems to be mostly a dry cough, although it sometimes feels like there’s a bit of something in my throat that can be cleared by coughing, but I’m not actually coughing up anything.

I do have asthma, and I had a bad bout of bronchitis at the start of the year, but that cleared up entirely before I had this cough.

Any idea of what it is? Should I see a doctor? I think maybe if I see a doctor at this point, they might just tell me it’s not serious and to wait it out.

Thank you.

Any time you have to ask if you should see a doctor, it’s probably a good idea to see a doctor. I don’t have any advice on what’s causing your cough, but seriously, I’d call for an appointment.

When I have a cough that won’t let go I go old school ! Twice in the evening, once after dinner and again before bed, I inhale steam from a big mug in which I have added Vicks or Tiger Balm. It only takes a few minutes to do and gives initial relief of course, but I’m more interested I how I feel next morning. If I feel a little better, I am confident it will pass with more time. If I feel no better, I know I should probably see my Dr!

Good Luck!

You could do some short experiments first.

With all the changes occurring due to the global warming plot by the Chinese, there are lots of fungi and other bits of muck in the air than there used to be, and that’s triggering what used to be seasonal allergies, to start affecting us nearly year round. You could try taking an antihistamine for a week, and see if that stops the cough. If it does, then an allergy might be the cause.

Where I live allergies can damn near ruin your life. The cough you describe sounds like what people have due to sinus drainage building up in the lungs. You don’t need to see symptoms like sneezing to have it happen. Mine requires a stand by prescription of antibiotic (only in dire straights) before it causes pneumonia. I usually get by on an antihistamine every other day and guaifenisin (active ingredient in Mucinex-buy generic)to clear it out of my lungs. Benedryl at bedtime is great unless it dries you out. Good day.

Look up any medicines you are taking to see if a cough is listed as a side effect. For example:

Bronchitis, once cleared up, can recur in mild form for months later. Many blood pressure medication have the side effect of a bit of throat congestion.

A seasonal allrergy can take a couple of weeks to gradually clear up, even taking antihistamines., even after no longer exposed to the allergen.

Sounds like normal symptoms for someone with asthma in allergy season following a case of bronchitis. Stay hydrated, drink soothing stuff like tea, wait a while, and you know, call a doctor if it doesn’t go away. This is pretty much every spring for me just based on mild allergies and stupid weather.

Also, are you inside with AC on a lot?

Thanks so far, everyone.

I don’t have allergies that I know of (except to penicillin and related drugs, which doesn’t cause a cough) though I may look into getting tested if this persists.

And I didn’t think of a cough being a side effect of medication, but that’s possible.

So you’re an asthmatic. Are you on maintenance meds like inhaled steroids/long-acting bronchodilators/leukotriene inhibitors? What are your peak flows like? Are they below your normal/typical best readings? Are you needing your rescue inhaler more frequently than usual? Is it giving you the usual level of relief? Those are the things to consider when deciding if you need to look into your symptoms further. If you’re not sure about any of that, then your primary care practitioner should probably be consulted. You may be having an exacerbation of bronchospasm that’s manifesting as increased cough, and it may merit a burst of steroids, or other intervention.

I have my Advair inhaler that I take twice a day, and another inhaler as needed. I haven’t been using my other inhaler much. Maybe I should?

You should use your rescue inhaler (usually albuterol) if you’re having your typical asthma attack symptoms (shortness of breath for most asthmatics, cough and/or chest tightness for some). If you’re not having asthma symptoms, you shouldn’t use your rescue inhaler. If you think your cough might be due to some mild bronchospasm going on, you could use your rescue inhaler and see if that quiets the cough down. If it does, then you may be having an asthma flare and should contact your doc for advice.

You should NOT increase your Advair maintenance inhaler unless directed to do so by your doc. That med is to be used regularly to keep inflammation in your airways quieted down, and make it less likely that you’ll have an episode of bronchospasm (aka ‘asthma attack’). If your doc thinks you might need a higher dose of Advair, he/she would need to prescribe it.

Do you have a personal asthma control plan? One where you check your peak flows by using a peak flow meter at home? If an asthmatic has to routinely use their rescue inhaler more than once a week, it’s generally recommended they have a personal control plan and check their PFs at home regularly.

I don’t have a peak flow meter. Maybe I can talk to my doctor about it.

I haven’t been more short of breath than usual, just the cough.

It’s really nice having a doctor in the family. :slight_smile: