Cough Clinic
The cough clinic is headed by Pulmonologist Dr.Samadarshi Datta,MD and is supported by ear nose and throat (ENT) surgeons, radiologists, lung function technicians and by a specialist chest physiotherapist.
Time slot:
Typically the cough clinic is held on every Wednesday 5 pm to 8 pm
What do we know about chronic cough?
- A chronic cough is defined as one lasting more than 8 weeks. This is a common and distressing condition.
- It particularly affects women between the ages of 45 and 55.
- Many report a persistent dry cough with a sensation of throat irritation, particularly after exposure to changes in temperature or irritant fumes. Talking and laughing can also trigger cough. The problem is caused by a heightened cough reflex.
- Common causes include
- A side effect of blood pressure tablets (ACE inhibitors such as ramipril, lisinopril, captopril and perindropril),
- Asthma
- Sino-Nasal diseases like rhinitis,post nasal drip and sinusitis
- Acid refluxing from the stomach to the gullet and throat. However, in up to 40% of patients none of these conditions are present and the cough is unexplained.
In our Cough Clinic We are usually able to help patients with unexplained cough by reassuring them that they do not have a serious underlying lung condition and working with them to develop strategies to control the cough. Reassuringly, the longer-term prognosis of all cough syndromes is good.
What tests might be done?
We nearly always need to do further tests assessing cough severity and looking into possible causes. These include simple breathing tests(screening spirometry), blood tests, simple questionnaires and x-rays. Other tests, which you may be less familiar with include:
- Tests of airway responsiveness. This test investigates how ‘twitchy’ your airways are by investigating whether inhaling (breathing in) a substance called methacholine causes narrowing of your airways. We assess this by asking you to exhale (breathe out) forcefully into a breathing machine. We can usually detect airway narrowing before you become aware of it and the investigation does not cuase much discomfort. Patients with asthma nearly always develop narrow airways after inhaling methacholine so this is a good test for the presence of asthma.
- Tests of airway inflammation. We assess this in two ways. First, we ask patients to exhale into a machine that measures the concentration of a gas called nitric oxide. There is more of this gas present in exhaled air from patients with an inflamed airway. Secondly, we examine the cells and chemicals in a sputum sample (mucous from the lungs) to see whether airway inflammation is present and determine its nature. We stimulate sputum production by asking patients to inhale a salty mist.
What package is offered
One time registration with consultation by chest and ENT specialist,screening spirometry,sputum cytology & microbiology,blood for complete Haemogram and counselling by respiratory therapist