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Dry Cough from 1.5 months
Hello Doctors,
Experiencing severe dry cough for last 1.5 months.
Daily 7-8 times and each time I am coughing 4-5 times.
Tried homeopathy and allopathy medicines - cough reduced but still there. No history of asthma / cough problem in myself or family.
Got CRP Quantitative, EPR and CBC along with Chest X-ray done - all were normal, no blood infection or problem in lungs were found.
Trying home remedy - honey ginger twice daily still cough not completely gone
Why it is there and is it something big that could be there ?
Thanks
Answers (19)
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Do you have any other problem, apart from cough? Do you smoke?
You could be having allergic bronchitis.
Syp Grilinctus dx 5m.l. every 8hours for 5 days.
Take tab limcee 500mg one morning and one evening for 15 days.
Do steam inhalation and hot saline gargles.
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A cough persisting for more than 1.5 months needs proper evaluation, as common causes include post-viral cough, allergy/post-nasal drip, acid reflux, asthma/bronchitis, or less commonly infections such as tuberculosis, especially if associated with fever, weight loss, or phlegm.
Please consult a physician/pulmonologist for clinical examination and a chest X-ray. If there is wheezing, breathing difficulty, or night-time cough, tests such as spirometry may also be required.
Meanwhile:
take warm fluids and steam inhalation
avoid smoking / dust exposure
use an anti-allergic tablet if associated with sneezing or throat irritation
avoid cold drinks
If you have fever, blood in sputum, weight loss, chest pain, or breathlessness, please seek urgent medical review.
Next Steps
consult me anytime if above mentioned measures aren't working out.
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Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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I think you should go for Bronchial Brushings nd PFT
You can contact me directly on practo
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Need few more details for proper understanding of your issue.
You can consult with me online on Practo or whatsapp on eight three one eight four six nine eight eight six for proper diagnosis, conclusion and management
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Hello,
It is reassuring that your Chest X-ray and inflammatory markers (CRP) are normal, as this rules out many serious lung conditions. However, a cough lasting 6 weeks requires a deeper look into common triggers that don't always show up on a standard X-ray.
1. Potential Causes to Investigate
Since "major" lung issues have been ruled out, we should consider these common culprits:
GERD (Acid Reflux): Sometimes, stomach acid can travel up the esophagus and irritate the throat or be micro-aspirated into the lungs, causing a "silent" dry cough, even without typical heartburn.
Post-Nasal Drip (UACS): Secretions from the nose or sinuses trickling down the back of the throat can cause a persistent tickle and cough.
Cough-Variant Asthma: Some types of asthma present only as a dry cough without the typical wheezing or breathlessness.
Environmental Irritants: Exposure to dust, pollution, or even certain indoor allergens.
2. Recommended Next Steps
I suggest the following to narrow down the cause:
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) / Spirometry: To rule out cough-variant asthma or other airway issues that a normal X-ray cannot detect.
ENT Evaluation: To check for signs of chronic sinusitis or post-nasal drip.
Trial of Anti-Reflux Medication: Sometimes, a short course of PPIs (like Omeprazole) is used as a diagnostic tool to see if the cough improves, indicating GERD is the cause.
3. Immediate Advice
Hydration: Continue with warm fluids. Honey and ginger are excellent for soothing the throat, but they won't treat the root cause if it's systemic.
Sleep Position: Try sleeping with an extra pillow to elevate your head; if the cause is reflux or post-nasal drip, this often reduces nighttime coughing.
Avoid Triggers: Note if the cough worsens after meals, when lying down, or in specific environments.
Summary: Since your tests for "big" infections are clear, the focus now should be on hyper-responsive airways or irritation from the esophagus or sinuses. Please consult a Pulmonologist for a lung function assessment.
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Detailed history is required.
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Lot of time i answered with treatment
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Just show me the chest x ray
Are you getting more cough while lying down or sleeping
If yes contact me
Next Steps
consult as soon as possible
Health Tips
avoid oily and spicy food
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Check your vitals ESR, FBS, PPBS, HBA1C And TUBERCULOSIS
You will send the X-ray image and CBC value
Health Tips
Water sanitation and hygiene to use
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Since your Chest X-ray and blood reports (CRP, CBC) are normal, this chronic dry cough (lasting over 6 weeks) is likely not due to a lung infection. In such cases, the most common causes are GERD (Acid Reflux), where stomach acid irritates the throat, or Post-Nasal Drip caused by silent allergies. Another possibility is Cough Variant Asthma, which sometimes doesn't show up on a standard X-ray but causes persistent dry hacking, especially if triggered by dust or cold air."
Next Steps
Try to observe if the cough increases after meals or when you lie down at night; if yes, it's likely acidity-related. Avoid spicy foods and late-night dinners. For immediate relief, continue steam inhalation and honey-ginger, but I recommend a trial of Antihistamines or an Antacid (PPI) for a week to see if the symptoms subside. If it still persists, a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) would be the next logical step."
Health Tips
Persistent cough for 1.5 months should not be ignored even if initial reports are normal. If you develop any symptoms like night sweats, sudden weight loss, or blood in sputum, please consult a Pulmonologist immediately for a more advanced evaluation like a CT scan or Bronchoscopy
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Smoking??.or also caused by gerd and post viral infection. Steam inhalation may be helpful in your case.if its due to allergy then you need to avoid dust ,smoke etc.
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Do you smoke?
Get an ecg, serum creatinine and stop smoking if you do take steam inhalation and antihistaminic medicine and hot formentation if cardiac and renal pathology.
Next Steps
if you need more information and you have more queries then you can consult.
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Based on your history it seems to be Chronic cough,and with Normal chest xray and CBC, Crp and ESR , serious lung disease is less likely.
It could be due to allergy or post viral sinus drainage.Could be Gastroesophageal reflux related dry cough.
Next Steps
Try antihistamine,if it's due to allergy it will subside.Avoid cold drinks,do steam inhalation.
Try PPIs if it is reflux cough it will subside.
For detailed consultation,u can approach me.
Health Tips
Consult immediately if there is blood in sputum, breathlessness or fever more than 2 weeks
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do u smoke ? is the cough associated with chest pain or nausea you should book a consultation for a detailed assessment
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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Dr. Nazia Begum M.G
General Physician
15 yrs exp
Belgaum
Consult online
Share reports
Need proper history and evaluation for further suggestions
Do not neglect take an appointment
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Kindly do connect and consult
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.