HEALTH: CHRONIC COUGH: FORWARDED BY GEORGE KURIAN

( The subject I am discussing the 'Chronic Cough' is something of a very important one. Of ccourse it is very annoying besides the suffering. I have found the following information from our "The Star Ledger" Newspaper of New Jersey today(6/09/2010)and I am publishing it right away for our respected readers.)
George Kurian
CHRONIC COUGH:
(The question asked by a patient to Dr. Donohue who writes regularly in the Newspaper.We get a lot of valuable information from Dr. Donohue. Thanks)
Q.Dear Dr.Donohue:I have had a persistent cough for several years. I never smoked.The doctor has examined my throat and says it's due to acid reflux. I have been inhaling albuterol, which does'nt help.Any suggestions?
Answer given by Dr. Donohue:
Three illnesses are the front-runners as cough causers. They are asthma,postnasal drip and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the heartburn malady.
Acid reflux- GERD, heartburn, whatever you want to call it-is the diagnosis given to you. It's the upward spouting of stomach acid into the esophagus. In some people, this spouting stimulates cough receptors in the lower part of the esophagus and leads to coughing. You might not have any heart burn symptoms, only the coughing. Or the stomach acid can travel up the esophagus into the throat and trigger coughing. In any case a trial of medicines that suppress stomach acid production will show you if this is the correct diagnosis. Two such medicines are Prilosec(omeprazole) and Aciphex(rabeprazole)
Other causes are possible, Lung cancer must be considered, but it's not likely to be a cause in your case. You would be sufering other symptoms if it were. Have you considered seeing a lung specialist, a pulmonologist ?
(Write to Dr. Donohue at P.O.Box 536475, Orlando, Fla. 32853-6475)

(Thanks to The Star Ledger, our  famous Newspaper in New Jersey-)New World