Small chronic cough - PaleoHacks.com

Small chronic cough

2011-03-30T05:20:47Z

For as long as I can remember (since I was a kid) I've had a chronic small cough. None of my doctors have ever been able to figure it out (my naturopath told me it resulted from 'the mother suppressing the child's voice' which is the best explanation I've gotten). It's sort of like clearing my throat and I do it all the time. It feels like something's in my throat and it builds up, it's a slight anxious feeling, and just doesn't stop. Like my throat's getting full and hot and it sort of goes down into the top of my chest. It's not a serious or overwhelming feeling but I have to cough to get rid of it, and it just comes right back. I can go a couple minutes, maybe up to five or ten (if I consciously don't do it) without coughing. Paleo hasn't helped. It gets in the way of talking on the phone (I've had people bring it up before), job interviews (I work with kids)- I always have to say I have allergies. I know it's not necessarily related to eating paleo but I figured someone here might be able to shed some light. Thanks.

[EDIT]: This may be related- I drink a LOT of water. Like 9 liters a day. If I don't have my water or I get low I freeeeak out. I'm constantly drinking. I got tested for diabetes a while back because excessive thirst is one of the symptoms and I don't have it. I don't get overly thirsty but I am drinking all the time because I want my water. I figure my body wants what it wants.

Answer by Kamal for Small chronic cough

2011-03-30T05:46:49Z

I have the same thing. Maybe you should go see an Ear Nose Throat doctor. Specifically, a laryngologist.

If you haven't seen one before, this is what they do. They do a physical exam, then snake a camera into your vocal folds. Chances are, they will see some swelling. There is medication you can take to reduce the swelling and reduce the need to cough or clear your throat. It may interupt a cycle that has been going on a long time.

I never took the medication because I thought "hey...paleo should fix this..right??". But there is a lot outside of paleo. Thanks for reminding me, this may be a good time to revisit the issue!

Answer by Nick for Small chronic cough

2011-03-30T11:23:18Z

I had the same thing. I believe mine was food allergy related because when I started paleo it went away. I am taking an allergy test soon though just to be sure. Last Thanksgiving I ate normally again for about three weeks and the cough returned.

Answer by StephNY for Small chronic cough

2011-03-30T12:30:24Z

My voice teacher in high school referred me to an ENT doc due to my chronic coughing which was more of a throat clearing as you described it and was interefering with my singing/college auditions.

Got scoped. Turned out it was due to allergies. Also had a slight amount of GERD at the time which was adding to it.

I ended up with an Rx for allergy meds that I took as needed for about a year. When I went off to college, without being on meds, the problem seemed to clear itself up until one summer I was working at a summer camp and my allergies were exceptionally bad. The previous summer I'd had no troubles.

I haven't been on meds for it since the initial diagnosis and I only notice myself doing it if the pollen count is really high and I've been outside a lot.

I'd definitely recommend seeing an ENT and being scoped.

Answer by Lee for Small chronic cough

2011-04-01T04:18:18Z

Mine was fixed by a pulmonologist.

Answer by David for Small chronic cough

2011-04-01T11:32:01Z

Registered just to respond to this. This is perhaps unexpected, but I had this problem and it was greatly improved by fixing my bad posture. Because my shoulders and neck were constantly rolled forward, I believe my airways were compressed unnaturally and contributed to congestion in my lungs. I don't know any of the science behind this and I wasn't fixing my posture to address this problem, but after fixing my posture I noticed a general improvement in my breathing and my lungs finally "cleared".

I follow the Gokhale method -- http://egwellness.com/ -- and cannot recommend this technique highly enough. For me, it did for posture what Paleo does for diet and Crossfit does for exercise.

Answer by Ed for Small chronic cough

2011-04-01T18:39:36Z

Others have already brought up possible medical explanations, including allergies, vocal cord inflammation, GERD and post-nasal drip--all excellent suggestions. I agree that seeing an otolaryngologist is a good idea.

If your ENT workup is negative, you may have something called "simple vocal tic." This is more common in children, but can also occur in adults. Treatment can either be behavioral, medical, or both. Behavioral techniques used for tics include behavior modification, biofeedback, hypnosis or neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). Medications used for tics are listed here.

Answer by Mary for Small chronic cough

2012-10-29T11:48:55Z

Wheat/ gluten & dairy sensitivities ( from overexposure) not exactly aleergies... cause millions of people to have inflammation of Mucous membranes & all digestive tract. Causing "throat clearing, coughing brain fog, fatigue Aching joints etc. Eliminate All wheat gluten dairy for a week... You'll see!## Heading ##

Answer by Lizzyrn for Small chronic cough

2013-04-27T05:42:29Z

From a clinical perspective and the discriptions given... Have you considered you may have mojor anxiety or OCD issues? 9 liters of water is borderline excessive (I really would be interested to see your chem profiles). The ENT would be a start but I would also look at a psychosomatic perspective.