Prolonged Cold & Dry Cough: Covid Impact or Acid Reflux? Causes to Precautions, Experts Explain

Experts say that chronic cough can be a long-term effect of Covid.

Experts say that chronic cough can be a long-term effect of Covid.

An expert told CNN-News18 that acid reflux can also be one of the reasons

The year 2023 started with many people complaining of cold and cough. What is worrying is how persistent the cough and cold have been. In some cases the dry cough lasts from three weeks to two months.

CNN-News18 discussed the reasons and its long term impact with experts.

Is it because of covid?

Sources in the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NTAGI) say there is no new version of corona virus or a new infection has been detected. There has also been a decrease in Covid cases in the country.

Then, can one rule out Covid-19 as the reason? No, according to experts. This is the long term effect of Covid.

Sunila Garg, Lancet Commission member, India The chapter said, “We are conducting a study called COVISU on the long-term impact of COVID-19 at Maulana Azad College. Our preliminary research suggests that 80% of people have symptoms similar to long-term effects of Covid-19. Prolonged cough is the most common among them. COVID-19 can have a significant impact on your health. The virus affects you from top to bottom, giving brain fog, cold-cough and respiratory problems. Due to Covid-19 all the organs are affected and prolonged cough is also the result of the same.

various reasons

“For the past two months, we have seen a 30% increase in patients complaining of chronic cough. Sore throat, fever, dry cough and cold are the most common. We believe this is due to several factors such as pollution, seasonal change, allergies, influenza virus and other viruses such as rhino virus, sera influenzae. It should be a symptom-based treatment and home remedies should be used to recover from cough and cold,” said Dr Vivek Nangia, Pulmonologist, Max Hospital.

acid reflux?

Dr Jagdish Chaturvedi, ENT surgeon, Fortis Hospital Bengaluru told CNN-News18 that acid reflux can also be one of the reasons.

“When a dry cough is caused by a viral throat infection (usually caused by the influenza virus/flu), the cough causes an increase in abdominal pressure, which accelerates acid reflux, causing pain in the voice box (vocal cord area) There is bruising and swelling around. , This causes throat irritation—the feeling that something is stuck and we need to clear it out—and coughing spasms (sudden bouts of coughing) or a dry cough that gets worse when you lie down,” he said. Said.

He further added, “This can be a common reason why cough persists for several weeks and antibiotics and cough syrups have a poor response. The triggering factor is often micro-acid reflux, also known as LPRD (LaryngoPharyngeal Reflux Disease). In my practice, I have seen over 80% of patients with these symptoms show LPRD on video laryngoscopy and a drastic improvement in symptoms after control of acid reflux.

how can you protect yourself

Dr. Chaturvedi listed the steps that can be taken to reduce acid reflux:

  • Avoid spicy food and fried food
  • Drink 1.5-2 liters of water daily
  • Give a gap of 1 hour between eating and sleeping
  • Consult your doctor for evaluation and need for antacids

prevention better than cure

Many experts say that taking antibiotics without a doctor’s advice can lead to serious diseases. If the wheezing and cough is severe, then the person should take a therapeutic course. Also, current anti-flu shots should be used.

“When it comes to children, people are proactive and get them flu and allergy vaccines, but many adults are either unaware or take cold and cough lightly. My advice would be to get an anti-flu shot on time to completely avoid seasonal flu.

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