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Chronic Coughs And Colds
Ask Dr Eng Cern Gan about:
- Drippy noses
- Sinus problems
- Antibiotics for flu
- Cough and phlem that won't go away
Dr Gan Eng Cern is a fellowship trained Consultant Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Surgeon. He is well-versed in the management of a wide range of ENT conditions and has a passion for the treatment of conditions of the nose & sinuses as well as snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). He served as a Senior Clinical Lecturer at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore.
Questions 10
What is the difference between Allergic Rhinitis and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux?
Thank you for your question. Both Allergic Rhinitis and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux can cause a feeling of something stuck in the throat aka globus sensation. However, they are very different conditions. Allergic Rhinitis refers to inflammation of the nasal cavity due to exposure to a known allergen (protein that triggers an allergic reaction in the nose - most common culprit is house dust mites). Typical symptoms include blocked nose, runny nose, sneezing, postnasal drip itchy nose and itchy eyes. To find out more please read my article that was published in Human ("Hate your sensitive nose?
Should I be concerned if my 4 year old has a dry cough and frequent nosebleeds?
Nosebleeds in children are most often due to prominent blood vessels on the front part of the nasal septum (wall that separates the nose into right and left sides) that have burst. This can be spontaneous or triggered by certain activities such as frequent nose digging or violent sneezing. He may alsonbe suffering from Rhinitis (sensitive nose). If the nosebleeds happen twice a week and he has troublesome sensitive nose, you should consider bringing him to see an ENT Specialist.
What should I do next if I still have green phlegm and cough after completing my course of antibiotics?
If you have a sinus infection and bronchitis that has not gone away with antibiotics, you can see an ENT Specialist for an assessment and likely a nasoendoscopy (scope through the nose done in the clinic under local anaesthesia). If there is still infected mucous (mucopus) seen in your nose, a sample of the mucopus has to be taken and sent to the lab for analysis (bacterial culture). This is to determine the type of bacteria responsible for your sinus infection and the antibiotics that will be effective against that bacteria.
How can I prevent frequent sinus infections?
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing sinus infection (medically known as sinusitis) every 1-2 months. It is important to determine if the "sinus infections" are indeed sinusitis. Common symptoms of a sinus infection includes: Blocked nose Facial congestion or pain Coloured nasal discharge/mucous (yellow, brown, green or even blood stained) Postnasal drip Reduced sense of smell A sinus infection usually last longer than 10 days or continues to worsen on day 5 of your illness.
Are there any symptomatic treatments to help a persistent cough in an 8 year-old?
Thank you for your question. Cough is a reflex meant to protect your airway from an irritant (e. g. mucous, foreign bodies or virus/bacteria). When persistent, it is usually a symptom of a condition. A cough lasting longer than 8 weeks is called chronic cough. Common causes of chronic cough in children include problems arising from the nose and sinuses (e. g. allergic rhinitis, sinusitis), lungs (e. g. asthma, bronchitis, foreign bodies) or stomach (acid reflux).
How do I know if my breathing difficulties while running is due to a nose or heart problem?
Thank you for your question. Breathing difficulties during exercise can be dependant on several factors including: 1) Your age 2) Your fitness level 3) Your general health status. If you have a medical condition that may compromise the delivery of blood and oxygen to your vital organs, you can feel breathless on exertion or during exercise. There can be many reasons for these including conditions from the lungs (e. g Asthma, bronchitis) and heart (e. g. congenital defects) to conditions of the blood (e. g. low blood level).
How do I get rid of a persistent cough?
Cough is a reflex that protects your upper airway from foreign materials and irritants. However, when persistent, it can be a troublesome symptom. The cause of a chronic or prolonged cough can range from conditions arising from the nose (e. g. Rhinitis and Sinusitis), stomach (e. g. acid reflux from the stomach to the throat, medically known as Laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR) and lungs (e. g. Asthma, Bronchitis etc) to side effects from medications (e. g. blood pressure medications) and smoking.
What is a permanent cure for sinus?
Thank you for your question. Based on the clinical history provided, I will answer your questions in a few sections as follows: Sinus vs Sinusitis – What is the difference? “Sinus” is a common term that many people incorrectly use to describe nose symptoms such as frequent blocked nose, runny nose and sneezing. Sinuses, or the precise term is paranasal sinuses, are hollow spaces that is surrounds the nasal cavity. Everyone has them and it is a normal part of the anatomy in your face.
What could be the cause of chronic cough at night and in early morning? How can I stop the cough?
Thank you for your question. I’m sorry to hear that your mother is suffering from a prolonged and problematic cough which can be a complex condition. Coughing is a reflex that protects your upper airway and lungs from irritants such as excessive mucous and foreign bodies. When persistent, it is often a symptom of a condition, ranging from conditions arising from the nose & sinuses (e. g sensitive nose, sinus infections), lungs (e. g asthma and bronchitis), throat and stomach (e. g. acid reflux from the stomach) to side effects from medications or smoking.
What is the best treatment for post-nasal drip on one side of my nose?
Thank you for your question. Common causes of postnasal drip (sensation of mucous stuck in the back of the nose or throat) include: Conditions of the nose (e. g sensitive nose or rhinitis, sinusitis) Acid reflux to the throat (called laryngopharyngeal reflux) Dehydration In patients I’ve seen with similar history to yours, a one sided nasal congestion or postnasal drip may indicate an active sinus infection (sinusitis).