How to get rid of persistent cough?

I have had a persistent dry cough for several years now. I have taken many medicines but the cough has not gone away, and it has greatly affected my health. How can I cure this disease? (Quyen, 40 years old)

Reply:

Prolonged cough has many causes such as sinusitis, bronchial asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, lung cancer. The condition can also be caused by taking blood pressure lowering drugs of the ACE inhibitor group.

People with sinusitis often have postnasal drip, a feeling of fluid running down the back of the throat. An ENT endoscopy and sinus x-ray can show sinusitis. Bronchial asthma is also a common cause of prolonged cough, often accompanied by shortness of breath and wheezing. Sometimes bronchial asthma only manifests as a cough in cases of cough-type asthma.

During treatment, you need to be patient, follow your doctor's instructions, improve the air quality in your living environment by not keeping cats or dogs, and clean your house regularly.

To diagnose the cause of a persistent cough, you need to see a respiratory specialist for a direct examination to see the progression and nature of the cough. You may be given some diagnostic tests such as blood tests, chest X-rays or lung CT scans, respiratory function tests, gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, etc.

To reduce cough symptoms at home, you should drink plenty of water, avoid exposure to toxic fumes such as cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust, and dust. You can also try some home remedies to reduce cough such as steaming your nose and throat, gargling with salt water, sleeping with a pillow to reduce mucus in your throat, and drinking warm drinks that can soothe coughs such as honey.

You should pay attention to ensuring the humidity in the house, especially in the cold season. Air that is too dry causes mucus in the nasal cavity to evaporate quickly, causing irritation and causing coughing. Air that is too humid is also not an ideal environment because it allows viruses, bacteria, and mold to thrive, easily causing irritation and persistent coughing.

The suitable humidity for breathing is 30-50%. When the weather is too dry and cold, you can add moisture by using a humidifier. If it is too humid, you should use a dehumidifier.

Master, Doctor La Quy Huong
Respiratory Department, Tam Anh General Hospital , Hanoi

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