How to Stop a Chronic Cough

By Marketwire .	Article Rating:
August 29, 2012 06:15 PM EDT	Reads:	198

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CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwire) -- 08/29/12 -- We're all too familiar with the annoying cough that seems to linger after a cold or illness. For some, however, chronic coughing can go on for months or even years and the cause can seem elusive. While a persistent cough is not usually an indication of serious illness, Chicago's Dr. Brian Rotskoff takes cough diagnosis seriously to help his patients stop coughing. His breathing expertise covers asthma, sinus headaches, adult sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, and childhood nasal allergies.

Patients are often surprised to learn how intertwined these conditions can be, and even more surprised to learn the likely causes of a cough that just won't go away. Without a proper diagnosis, lasting cough relief is not likely to be found in antibiotics, cough suppressants, allergy medications, or inhalers. At Clarity Allergy Center, Dr. Rotskoff looks to the three most common causes of chronic coughs to uncover each patient's airway irritation triggers: asthma, acid reflux, and post-nasal drip.

Dr. Rotskoff says, "Many doctors only treat one of the causes of a cough at a time, but a chronic cough isn't always that simple. Until we identify and treat each factor, patients will continue to suffer."

What are the causes of a cough?
"In adult, non-smoking patients, the three most common causes of a chronic cough are asthma, acid reflux, and post-nasal drainage," says Dr. Rotskoff. "Coughs that are resistant to treatment are very likely to have multiple triggers."

Asthma Cough
Post-nasal drainage is a fairly well known cough cause, but you may be surprised to learn that asthma is equally to blame. "Many patients don't realize that a cough can be their only symptom of asthma," says Dr. Rotskoff. "Without the more common asthma symptoms of wheezing, chest-tightness, or shortness-of-breath, it often goes undiagnosed."

Acid Reflux Cough
Chronic coughing and frequent throat clearing are very often symptoms of acid reflux. "Keep in mind that coughing is the result of airway irritation," explains Dr. Rotskoff, "so when stomach acid moves up into the throat it can lead to chronic inflammation and, ultimately, persistent coughing and throat clearing."

Dr. Rotskoff routinely stresses to patients the importance of accurate diagnosis. "The best way to assess a lasting cough is with a chest x-ray," he says. Rarely, chronic cough can be an indication of a serious medical condition, so Dr. Rotskoff advises all sufferers to seek medical attention for a cough that lasts more than 4-6 weeks.

"Do not despair!" says Dr. Rotskoff, "we'll get to the bottom of your nagging cough and find the right treatment to bring it under control. You'll be surprised how much freer your breathing with feel once the irritation is soothed." Up to 90% of Dr. Rotskoff's patients successfully move beyond their chronic coughing with his expertise and dedication to patient care.

Get relief today by visiting www.clarityallergycenter.com or by calling 773-877-3500. You'll find Dr. Rotskoff's Clarity Allergy Center offices in Chicago and Arlington Heights, a short distance from Lincolnwood, IL, Skokie, IL, Park Ridge, IL, Morton Grove, IL, and Niles, IL, Mount Prospect, IL, Palatine, IL, Elk Grove, IL, Buffalo Grove, IL, Bartlett, IL, Lake Zurich, IL, Schaumburg, IL, and Elgin.

How to Stop a Chronic Cough

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