Suggest Remedy For Persistent Cough And Chest Congestion

Posted on Wed, 18 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 Answered on

Tue, 8 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Every year about this time, I experience some fluid in my upper respiratory system, which produces a severe cough for a week to one month. I am an outdoor person who hunts, and perhaps the variations to temperature changes, dust, outdoor condition, etcetera play a role. The cough is really annoying and it feels like every time I take a breath I have a tickle or fluid at the bottom of my throat/upper respiratory tract. I hack all night in my sleep. No other conditions. Antibiotics are not helping. Cough medicine does little.c

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
may be post nasal drip

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is possible that the symptoms may be due to post nasal drip. There are some persons who may not detect the actual drip but have the symptoms connected to it eg cough, abnormal sensation to the back of the throat.

Post nasal drip is actually the most common reason for persisting cough. Other causes are reflux, asthma.

The use of a topical steroid nasal spray (eg nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort etc) along with an oral antihistamine decongestant combination may help (eg zyrtec d, allegra d, claritine d, benadryl d)

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar