DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your response to the reader whose sister complained of a chronic, choking cough. You failed to mention idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which could be the cause of her symptoms. Individuals with this condition can have a chronic cough that does not respond to medications that are otherwise effective in treating chronic bronchitis or asthma. Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments, and life expectancy is between two to five years after diagnosis. More information on this condition can be found at www.coalitionforpf.org.

DEAR READER: When responding to readers’ questions, I may be guilty of generalizing, hitting on the most common yet overlooked possibilities. Many coughs are tied to irritants or pollutants, postnasal drip, reflux, COPD, medication reactions and a host of other reasons. [Read more...]