I'm new to this forum, and am looking for some guidance on reading, where to go, any advice you might have. For the last few years in the winter, I have developed a problem with a cough. It is not a chronic cough - rather it comes on suddenly, as a sharp catch on the left side of my throat, and brings on an immediate and debilitating coughing fit. I almost never see it coming. My doctor treated me for asthma this winter, and that put off its onset until the last few weeks. Now she says that perhaps it is an allergic reaction that causes an irritation to my sinus'. I do public speaking for a living - I need to get this under some control. Any advice? Ideas of what I should ask or can do immediately? Thanks in advance for any help.

Allergies and asthma are often related, and asthma sometimes presents itself as coughing fits. Sinus discharge can also irritate the throat and cause a coughing fit. If I were you, I'd get my sinuses checked out by an ENT (and he can check your throat too for that matter) and also maybe get tested for allergies and asthma.