Q: I am an asthmatic suffering from a cough. What can I do to keep my chest free from cough all the time?
A:Asthma patients usually have a constant cough accompanied with the asthma attacks. There is no way to permenently get rid of the cough. Preventive medicines include theophylline, a pill often taken at bedtime to prevent wheezing at night and chromoglycate which is inhaled three to four times a day.
These guidelines may help to keep asthma under control:
Avoid smoke, especially cigarette smoke, vapours and chemical fumes.
Stay indoors during the humid season or the change of seasons especially when the pollen count is high.
Do not use fans in closed and dusty places.
Cover mattresses and pillows with plastic covers. Wash the bedding in hot water every week.
Do not use a vaporizer or humidifier unless it is thoroughly cleaned.
Do not have close contact with pets. Pet owners should bathe their pet weekly.
The cleaning of the house or the surroundings should be done by wet mopping rather than sweeping, wherever possible. This avoids the generation of allergen aerosols which could act as a triggering factor.
The doctor should be contacted in case the medicines are not effective in keeping the breathing comfortable.
