I have had a dry persistent cough for over 15 years and as well as cometimes affecting my sleep pattern, it is extremely embarrassing when getting an attack whilst in conversation with someone, talking on the phone, at meetings or when silence is required (ie christenings, weddings, funerals etc.).

 I have had various tests and once had it diagnosed as severe reflux.  I was given some medication (unfortunately it is such a long time ago I can't remember what it was) which had no long-term effect and on my last visit to my doctor was told "well it can't be TB or you would be dead by now!"  I appreciate he was trying to be light-hearted but it did not help my condition.  He suggested I had an extremely sensitive throat (sometimes just yawning can cause an attack) and had to learn to live with it.  In the past it has also been diagnosed as a mild form of asthma;  it has been suggested I try a nasal saline spray which helped but has not been conclusive.

My partner thinks it is a nervous complaint or is psychosomatic.

 Does anyone have any suggestions please before I lose all my friends!!!

If your dry cough is accompanied with tickling sensation in the throat and excessive salivation then the possible reason for that is parathyroid (oxyphil cells) problem or excessive intake of broad spectrum antibiotics in the past. This condition can manifest itself with allergy-like symptoms which sometimes can be temporarily eased with available over the counter antihistamine drug Cetirizine Dihydrochloride. But this is more a symptom suppression rather than the treatment. I would suggest checking your PTH level or at least your blood calcium level first, although it could be within the normal range by conventional medicine standards. There is a protocol in homotoxicology involving the use of Indol-Injeel preparation available on prescription from registered homotoxicologist. Try to search for the nearest homotoxicologist on ICM website http://www.i-c-m.org.uk/search-practitioners?division=11&country=&postcode=&radius=10

With best wishes,

Alla Cranham

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Alla Cranham, MSc ABMT,
Registered Homotoxicologist

Mercury House
Northgate
Nottingham
NG7 7FN

Tel +44(0) 845 450 7316
Mob +44(0) 77361 47458
Fax +44(0) 115 9163109
http://www.in-vivo-health.co.uk

Thanks very much for your help - much appreciated.  Am now checking out the registered homotoxicologist list you kindly sugggested.

 With best wishes

Pauline (paulisue)

 

I don't mean to alarm you, but if you have had severe reflux for 15 years then you really ought to go back to your GP and hassle them for a referral to a gastroenterologist to have it checked out. Over the years untreated reflux can cause a condition called Barrett's oesophagus which can progress to cancer.  If spotted early (via endoscopy) then the condition can be treated by laser - unfortunately many people do not have symptoms so it is not discovered until too late.

I have seen coughs similar to this with no apparent causes being the results of stress and uncertainties.  Exhaustion can also be a cause of this type of cough.  I would recommend a good Homeopath.

 

My commiserations! I have had the same since around 1975, so realise how embarrassing & restricting it can be....However, I just read recently about it being caused by an iron deficiency - & realised it has not been such a huge problem for me for a wee while now, maybe since I started taking an iron supplement?? (I cannot take normal iron supplements, but have finally found Blackmore's I.P.82, 15mg Iron Phosphate which my system doesn't react adversely to.)

http://www.naturalnews.com/z023120.html  is the link to the article. Here's hoping it will help you!

I would like to ask you to omit anything 'dairy' from your diet, either go towards Goats milk products (as the breakdown isn't as harsh once  its pasteurized as with cow milk, also, COWS milk will take 2 hours to 'pass though', unlike Goats milk that takes 20 minutes!) - find your nearest Farm Shop that sells RAW milk.  I ask you to do this, as dairy is such a problem for so many people today.  Let me explain: In farming today there are many types of feeds that the normal non-organic cattle is fed and the husbandry involved in today's dairy farming fails to answer the reason why cattle are slautered at 18 months?  A cow gives its best milk yeald at between 5 - 8 years, it is also at its best for beef between these times.  I feel that, as cattle are fed so much of a 'man-made' diet, are fed growth boosting hormones and aren't fed much from grass, that the amount of pesticides, insecticides and pre-formed 'cakes' as feed, we aren't allowed to see them past 18 months.  Another interesting point to note: a 'normal' cow will produce 560 Gallons of milk per year - grass fed, that is BUT, for the majority of cattle today, fed according to the earlier 'prescription' of feeds, will produce over 1500 gallons of milk!  Do you see why I am suggesting you come away from anything dairy related?  OK, going RAW for milk and whatever else you choose to consume from pure milk, will enable your body to be fed almost complete sources of good bacteria, amino acids, and protiens that we must have.  Now, the lining of your throat is very rough - for a reason - it is like that to allow food to be 'moved' to the stomach and requires 'smoothing' to stop yourself from what you are saying occurs.  Milk will assist in the diminishing of your problem by way of assuring you meet the requires nutrition I am sure.  Please contact me if you wouldd like a 1-2-1 on this matter. With best regards - Peter

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Peter Mitchell Acn Dipl

You don't mention whether you are taking medication. A persistent cough is one of the side effects of ACE inhibitors. Your cough might otherwise be the result of mycotoxins.There will definitely be some underlying cause. You might like to consider Bio-Ex Therapy. See www.sallyhorn.info for a list of practitioners.

I heard of a similar case and the homeopathic remedy bryonia helped. Hope this helps you.

I had a cough that hung around for several months and completely disappeared after one session with a healer.  I was very impressed!

From the other side, I've used hypnosis with someone who had a cough that ocurred when she was nervous, it had just become a habit. She found that it virtually disappeared after the session.

Best Wishes
Sharon
 

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Sharon Stiles
hypnosis, NLP & CBT in Bristol and via webcam

Worth trying the Phytobiophysics flower remedy, Superfit formula SF5 BREATHE, obtainable from Nutri Ltd. on 0800 212742. This has worked well for many people.

Best wishes
Jill Carter 

Last year I had a dry cough for 10 weeks and antibiotics didn't clear it up. I took some Echinacea and within a week it was gone.

I have to agree with this person who wrote about dairy being the problem.  Personally I had a dry cough every day for years when I was in grade school.  I discovered a link between that and milk in particular.  In the days I had the dry cough I was eating breakfast cereal with milk every day.  Now I notice the link when I've had dairy milk the day before, such as in a latte or something. It never fails for me, whenever I get this dry cough I ask myself what did I eat yesterday and sure enough milk was in there.  the answer may be as simple as that and you should test it by eliminating dairy for a day or two.  See if the cough dissipates or goes away. 

The following recipe has been tried and tested by my husband and several acquaintances.  You have nothing to lose by having a go.

 Apple cider vinegar cough remedy

 Water

10 black peppercorns

4 tablespoons clear honey

8 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (preferably organic)

Put the peppercorns into a small saucepan and barely cover with water.  Bring to the boil then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove all but 2 of the peppercorns and discard.  Add the honey and cider vinegar and stir until honey is fully dissolved.

Pour into a screw top jar (eg jam jar, kilner, etc.) and when cool store in the fridge.

To use:  Put a tablespoonful of the remedy into a glass and add an equal quantity of wter.  Mix and then sip the mixture.  This can be taken every hour or so when treating a chronic cough.

 One measure daily, last thing at night, can be used as a preventative tonic.

 

Have you been tested for asthma - did ventolin or somesuch help?

Have you tried a spoon of solid honey, preferably local and kept in your mouth as long as possible?