Cough cough cough!

[Bloden]

What do you do to get rid of a persistent cough this time of year? Thought I'd got rid of it sat morning, but came back with a vengeance sat night. It doesn't help that I'm a teacher AND a chatterbox!
Any ideas?

 

[LeeLee]

Are you taking ACE-inhibitors for blood pressure (drug names ending with -pril)? They can cause a persistent dry cough. If yes, ask the doc if there's an alternative you can take.

Most cough syrups are sugar-based, so I avoid those. Sugar-free lozenges help a bit, but not too many. Taken to excess they can cause unpleasant effects on the digestive system.

Make sure you're drinking loads of fluid. I find fruit infusions good, my current favourites are blackcurrant, lemon and peppermint. I prefer them sweetened with a bit of sucralose or stevia sweetener.

 

[Bloden]

Thanks for that.
I'm only on insulin, by the way.
Lozenges sound like a good idea...

 

[pav]

I had a cough for months and months, had an xray and chest is all clear, stopped taking ramipril for over 3 months, now been given steroids and they don't work.

In the the same boat still got the cough and no nearer what's causing it.

 

[Bloden]

Poor you! Hope u find a solution.

 

[PhoebeC]

Halls cough sweets are good. I had a cough for 3 weeks, eventfully went the doctors and I had a chest infection, she told me I should have gone sooner, 5 days antibiotics and it went easy as that.
Might be worth a try? X

 

[Steff]

I just put up with mine im on week 4 now,mind you hot lemonade works well for my father or a dropped humbug into a small drop of whiskey always warms the cockles and helps for me though neither work.

 

[cherrypie]

It could be a post nasal drip. Antihistamines and steroid nasal drops usually sort this out.

This article explains some of the reasons for your cough.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsl...ealth_Watch/2010/September/that-nagging-cough

 

[Bloden]

Thanks everyone one for the advice. I think it might be p n drip - thanks cherrypie! It makes the most sense in my case. Thank god the drip isn't on the outside - wouldn't want it dripping into my soup.

 

[MargB]

I sometimes get a persistent cough and/or sore throat because of nasal drip. Only way for me to get rid is to gargle with soluble aspirin which dulls the pain.

 

[Carina1962]

I am on my 2nd course of antibiotics for what started off as a sore throat 5 weeks ago and which then developed into a dry, tickly cough. I am now starting to begin to feel 'normal' again after 5 weeks and this 2nd course of antibiotics, I've never had anything like this that has persisted for weeks before.