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Dry Cough, No Fever, Earlobe Pain. Suggestions?
I ve had a dry and sometimes productive cough only at night. I ve been losing alot of sleep. The cough began approx four months ago. No fever . About one week ago I noticed a significant pain below my left earlobe . I can describe it as a generally aching pain which becomes worse as the day goes on. OTC cough suppressants do not seem to help. I sometimes cough until I become choked, then begin to gag and eventually throw up. Suggestions, please. I am 52 yr old female.
Thu, 6 Sep 2012
Hello lisaspear1017. I am unsure about your other medical conditions so I am going to answer your questions in two ways. There are many causes of a dry cough that occurs at night. I am going to address the cough first. The cough can be caused by post-nasal drip, reflux, asthma that is poorly treated, lung conditions, and medications among others. Cough suppressants will not help any of these issues.
Post-nasal drip is usually due to allergies and is treated with over the counter allergy medications such as loratadine. Decongestants can also ben helpful....however, if you have heart problems or high blood pressure avoid pseudoephedrine and use products with phenylephrine in them instead.
Reflux is treated with omeprazole and or ranitidine. Asthma medications will need to be prescribed by a physician. Lung conditions and medication changes would need to be prescribed by your physician as well.
I would advise that you schedule a visit with your physician as they can decide on the cause of your cough, and can steer you to medications that can help and that you need to avoid due to your history. Write down any other symptoms that you have experienced over the last several months including your ear pain and take them with you to your appointment.
Be well, Dr. Kimberly
Post-nasal drip is usually due to allergies and is treated with over the counter allergy medications such as loratadine. Decongestants can also ben helpful....however, if you have heart problems or high blood pressure avoid pseudoephedrine and use products with phenylephrine in them instead.
Reflux is treated with omeprazole and or ranitidine. Asthma medications will need to be prescribed by a physician. Lung conditions and medication changes would need to be prescribed by your physician as well.
I would advise that you schedule a visit with your physician as they can decide on the cause of your cough, and can steer you to medications that can help and that you need to avoid due to your history. Write down any other symptoms that you have experienced over the last several months including your ear pain and take them with you to your appointment.
Be well, Dr. Kimberly
I find this answer helpful
Hi Lisa,
After reading your symptoms i strongly recommend you to visit your physician as you need to get certain tests done:
-lung function test
-Complete blood count test(CBC)
-XRay chest
You need these investigations for proper diagnosis.
Cough can be due to lung infection resulting in ineffectiveness of cough syrup. Pain below your left ear can be due to persisting untreated/poorly treated infection in the body.
A thorough examinationalong with the above mentioned investigations will lead to a proper diagnosis and thereafter your treatment can be formulated.
Regards
After reading your symptoms i strongly recommend you to visit your physician as you need to get certain tests done:
-lung function test
-Complete blood count test(CBC)
-XRay chest
You need these investigations for proper diagnosis.
Cough can be due to lung infection resulting in ineffectiveness of cough syrup. Pain below your left ear can be due to persisting untreated/poorly treated infection in the body.
A thorough examinationalong with the above mentioned investigations will lead to a proper diagnosis and thereafter your treatment can be formulated.
Regards
I find this answer helpful
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