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Coughing Up the Truth

By Dr. Maria Lania-Howarth

It’s cold out. You cough. You wake up and cough. Someone tickles you or your child and the coughing erupts. A cough can be “more than a cough.” Three common underlying reasons for a cough are usually the culprit: postnasal drip from allergies or sinusitis, or both; asthma; and gastro esophageal reflux.

Postnasal drip from the allergies is common, and if the underlying allergies are not treated, the cough will linger. Allergy testing may be performed so that avoidance and environmental control measures of specific allergen triggers can be employed. Allergy medications are often incredibly helpful. Sometimes an allergy sufferer may also have an associated Sinusitis, which would require a course of oral antibiotics. Diagnosis is often made by physical exam and at time radiographic studies. Treatment of postnasal drip can make you or your child’s cough a “thing of the past.” Although many people have wheezing or shortness of breath with asthma, the cough may be the presenting symptom, especially in asthmatic children. For someone with underlying allergies, a diagnosis of asthma is not surprising. Asthma education and treatment is also highly effective. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the more comfortable one will be. A cough can also be an initial symptom of gastro esophageal reflux. Treatment strategies include dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as medications. Appropriate therapy for reflux can make the cough disappear for good. If you think your cough is “more than just a cough,” then an evaluation by your primary care physician or allergy/asthma specialist may be warranted.

Dr. Maria Lania-Howarth is the head of the Division of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology at Cooper Hospital University Medical Center in Camden, NJ.