What is the treatment for a dry cough? First we must always outline a dry cough. A “dry cough” doesn’t produce sputum, or phlegm coughed up from the chest. Past that, a dry cough could also be attributable to a variety of circumstances.
Most likely the most typical explanation for a so-called dry cough is a tickle within the throat. Unusually sufficient, that is usually as a consequence of drainage of mucus (or phlegm) down the again of the throat in affiliation with a chilly or sinus an infection. Although there will not be sufficient drainage to cough it out, drying up the drainage with an antihistamine would be the reply. This isn’t truly a “treatment” however relatively a remedy. Over-the-counter antihistamines embody loratadine, cetirizine, and diphenhydramine.
When you have had signs for over a week, or in the event you’re getting worse, or in the event you maintain blowing out thick, yellow mucus (snot) out of your nostril, you could profit from an antibiotic.
A dry cough may also be a symptom of influenza, different viruses, allergy symptoms, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, COPD, pleurisy, pneumonia, or acid reflux disease illness (GERD). In the event you appear to have a respiratory flu or different viral an infection, a cough suppressant containing dextromethorphan might assist. In case your chest is tight or wheezy from bronchial asthma, bronchitis, or COPD a prescription inhaler might assist. (You might also profit from an antibiotic, cough suppressant, or antihistamine.) When you have pneumonia or pleurisy, you ought to be asking your physician about your cough.
In the event you appear to be allergic to bushes, grass, weeds, animals, mildew, mud, and so forth., a dry cough might reply to an antihistamine, a nasal inhaler akin to cromolyn sodium (OTC) or prescription steroid spray, or montelukast (prescription). When you have acid reflux disease, an OTC acid reducer akin to famotidine, ranitidine, omeprazole, or lansoprazole might assist. Discover I did not say the phrase “treatment.” Plenty of issues can enhance a cough, however “cures” are often the results of a physique’s personal therapeutic.
Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, MD
