Patient's question:
I had a cough brought on by a cold in September. The cold is better, but the cough hasn't stopped. When I cough, I always feel like there's phlegm in my throat that I can't cough up. But once I cough it out, I feel better. Sometimes I also feel a bit tired when breathing. I also have acid reflux. However, after taking a nap in the afternoon, the cough stops, and I feel much better. As soon as I wake up in the morning, I can feel a tickle in my throat, and I start to cough. I have to cough until the phlegm comes out to stop. But will I have the same reaction if I inhale secondhand smoke?Doctor's answer:
According to the description, it is a symptom of reflux. Treating reflux esophagitis is somewhat challenging, and it will not be cured overnight; it requires a process. When dietary habits are improper, smoking, drinking alcohol, eating foods and medications that are hard on the stomach, etc., can all lead to recurrent episodes of esophagitis. Therefore, after self-healing, proper regulation is necessary to prevent recurrence. If it recurs, timely treatment is required. Antacids should not be overused in Western medicine, as excessive use can cause gastric mucosal distension. Chinese medicine can be used for treatment. As long as the syndrome differentiation is accurate and the medication is appropriate, reflux control will be very good.