Expert: Kevin Smith - 11/15/2009

Question
Hi.

I hope I went to the right place to ask my question.

Recently, I think since last week, I often cough (dry cough) in the early morning, but most often during the early evening, which is after shower (between 6-7 PM). I never experienced any problems with breathing. My mom is now forcing me to go to the hospital, but I still think the cough might be something normal but not always.

Any idea?

Thank you,
Sally.

Answer
Hi there Sally,

A few things pop into my mind at your description:

Because you seem to be coughing in the morning and after a shower, it would seem that it's possible an environmental change could be affecting you. Often, for asthmatics at least, the morning can be a period when they feel their symptoms ( usually due to having slept in one position and then shifting, and causing the airways to shift also ) or after showering and such ( due to the changes in the air around them - in this case, becoming more humid ). There is also the possibility of some type of infection, or of allergies developing, or of you reacting to the season change.

As to getting it checked out - I would agree it's worth it. While I'm not sure what it's like in your area, here we probably wouldn't visit the hospital for it, but rather your MD or a walk-in clinic - do you have a family dr.?

I would be tempted to get it checked out for sure, as there really is no such thing as a 'normal' cough - your body isn't happy about something and is trying to tell you. Visit the dr. can be a bummer, but it's worth it to make sure there is nothing more serious then a cough going on.

Good luck!!