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Originally Posted by brightstar Hmmm....no asthma and I have never smoked, I don't live with a smoker or frequent bars/other places with smokers. I'm just concerned because I don't have a cold or sinus infection and I've had a cough for almost two weeks now. My boyfriend is threatening to make me go to a doctor, but I don't think a doctor could do anything. Oh, the phlegm is yellowish, does this mean anything? |
It could mean that you have a bacterial infection....have you had any other symptoms? Feeling feverish? chills or sweats?
In terms of other things that it could be....the three most common causes of a chronic cough are:
cough variant asthma
post nasal drip
acid reflux disease
The problem is, seeing as the above seems so simple, a lot of family doctors just prescribe antibiotics so the patient feels like something is being done
. If you have no infectious symptomatology, I would suggest that you try something like sudafed (i.e. a decongestant) and see if that helps the cough. If not, considering you don't have a history of asthma, you might also want to try some antacids. Now, a lot of people don't get the classic symptoms of acid reflux like heartburn and stomach pain and what not....for some people, the only manifestation is a nagging cough that is often worse at night. If you don't think it's an infection (seeing as you're the only one that can decide whether you feel ill) then I would try the decongestant, and then try an over the counter antacid like zantac.
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