Coughing fits in the morning

Hello, Cough is one of the commonest reasons to approach the doctor, that too if it is progressive. Cough can be dry or productive. Acute cough lasts for 2-3 weeks, whereas chronic cough lasts longer than 4 weeks. It is usually preceded by cold, flu or a sinus infection. If it is from a lung infection such as bronchitis, asthma, COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis with drainage into the throat, smoking cigarettes or exposure to smoke or pollutants, GERD and medications. Signs and symptoms include nasal congestion, wheezing (asthma), heartburn (GERD), fever, chills, night sweats (bronchitis, pneumonia TB or other lung infections, chest pain, shortness of breath, swellings of legs due to congestive cardiac failure, in rare cases coughing of blood (lung cancer), any weight loss and so on. Diagnosis depends on the medical history, inability of cough, how long you had it, symptoms associated. After a thorough physical examination, get some tests done including sputum culture, EKG, lung function tests, X-ray of the chest or sinuses. The goal of this treatment is to soothe your cough and also treat the underlying cause. It may include cough suppressants; inhalers, antibiotics, antihistamines or expectorants, bronchodilators, corticosteroids and some herbs and supplements may also be helpful in relieving your cough. Do not forget to drink plenty of liquid to help thin the mucus in your throat. If you smoke, stop. Stay away from smoke and airborne irritants and if medications are causing cough, your doctor can change the prescription and if you are taking ACE inhibitor, which seems to bring on your cough, do not stop unless you consult your physician . If you have allergies, try to avoid the triggering factor causing allergy. In addition to the above, you may also use honey, probiotics, spirulin, eucalyptus, marsh mellow, licorice, slippery elm, mullein, sundew, thyme etc. Hope this helps. Thank you.