Coughs and Colds That Go On and On

[pegatha]

Ever since I hit my 40's, I've found that I can no longer recover from a cold as I used to do. The cold itself might go away in about a week, but I always keep coughing for a month afterwards (no exaggeration). Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have any idea what could be causing it? I don't smoke (never have) or spend any time in smoky environments. It's just very aggravating that I have to spend weeks coughing and hacking every time I come down with a simple cold.

 

[fisherman2]

I would suggest seeing your doctor, if you don't already on a regular basis.

 

[fitmom]

Ever since I hit my 40's, I've found that I can no longer recover from a cold as I used to do. The cold itself might go away in about a week, but I always keep coughing for a month afterwards (no exaggeration). Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have any idea what could be causing it? I don't smoke (never have) or spend any time in smoky environments. It's just very aggravating that I have to spend weeks coughing and hacking every time I come down with a simple cold.

Since my mid thirties this has been the case with me. I often have to go on antibiotics, I have developed pneumonia, last spring I had a cold for 5 weeks, I sang "This is the cold that never ends"....(replace song for cold). Anyway, I don't know why, I am a health nut. It is very frustrating. Part of the problem is that I don't rest enough when I am sick, but who does? It is very hard for me to take a lot of time off work. I practice excellent hygiene by washing my hands alot etc. I don't get sick often, but when I do, I really do. I think it has to be a very tough virus to get me. God Bless,J

 

[HappyMomof4]

I had a cold that never really went away from sept 03 to dec 04. I finally got some antibiotics and it went away. I later spoke to a nutritionist/herbalist who told me to take a zinc supplement. I was fine until 2 weeks ago and now I have another marathon cold. It's just annoying! Last week I was blowing my nose (seriously) once a minute.

 

[2Bhumble]

They say the cough symptoms will always last the longest when one gets a cold. See a Doctor. Take echinacea, zinc, vitamin C. Throw away your toothbrush and buy a new one. Wash your hands often. Drink 100 or more oz. of water per day.

 

[DO/JD]

As one ages one enters the group of people with compromised immunity. This is a normal process, unfortunately. Try consuming Zinc in small doses and Vitamin C at least 500mg daily before any outbreak and Vitamin C and Echinacea standardized extract during cold remissions. Do not underestimate seeing a doctor on a regular basis also. Best wishes

 

[BeanMak]

One of the things that can cause a cough like that is a sinus infection. I would get a cold and it would settle into my sinuses, and I would get a bronchitis from the post nasal drip. I have since had surgery on my sinuses and I know to get on antibiotics if the cough lasts more than 7 days.

 

[The Smiling One]

Get ZINC!!!!! If you take 30mgs a day as soon as you EVEN THINK you may be getting something, it will probably go away!!! Zicam works!!! Just don't get the mouth spray, bleck!!!!! nasty, yucky, gagggggggg!!!

If zinc doesn't work for you, take large amounts of vit. C as the first hint of illness.

I get 200 caps. of 30mg zinc at a certain place online for less than $15. PM me and I tell you who it is.

 

[Ave Maria]

I always take 1,000 mg of Vitamin C when I start to feel like I'm getting sick. It usually helps me a lot. Unfortunately, I suffer from mild coughing a lot because I smoke. I have seriously cut down on the smoking in the past few months and the coughing has dramatically cut down as well but I still do it. I only smoke like once or twice a day and sometimes not even that. Regardless, I do need to quit smoking. I feel guilty about it because I tell others that they should not smoke but yet I do it myself. It's a hard habit to kick. Anyway, you say you don't smoke and you're not in a smokey environment so the only thing I can really think of that would cause the coughing is a sinus infection. I get sinus infections a lot and when I do, I notice that the coughing is worse. God bless!

 

[HappyMomof4]

I went to the Dr. today. I've been trying zinc, vitamin C, garlic, etc. It just won't go away! He gave me an antibiotic and said if you have a cold longer than 10 days you should get an antibiotic. At least now I know when to go the Dr.

 

[hat lady]

Make sure you change your pillowcase every night, so you aren't sleeping & breathing in your germs from the night before.

Also add bleach to a water bottle, dilute it 2-1. Then go around the house and spray and wipe down all the door handles & fixtures daily till you are over your cold. Anything surface that bleach will not harm.

I know it sounds crazy but, carry a small bottle of antibacterial soap that requires no soap.

Shopping cart handles -- so much germs-wipe them down

 

[The Smiling One]

I always take 1,000 mg of Vitamin C when I start to feel like I'm getting sick. It usually helps me a lot. Unfortunately, I suffer from mild coughing a lot because I smoke. I have seriously cut down on the smoking in the past few months and the coughing has dramatically cut down as well but I still do it. I only smoke like once or twice a day and sometimes not even that. Regardless, I do need to quit smoking. I feel guilty about it because I tell others that they should not smoke but yet I do it myself. It's a hard habit to kick. Anyway, you say you don't smoke and you're not in a smokey environment so the only thing I can really think of that would cause the coughing is a sinus infection. I get sinus infections a lot and when I do, I notice that the coughing is worse. God bless!

Holly, if you've cut your smoking that much, you can quit!!! I smoked for 23 years, a pack a day and I quit 'cold turkey'. It would be so much easier for you!!!!!!! In less than 7 days, I had my smell and my taste back and I couldn't stand to be around cigarettes.

QUIT QUIT QUIT QUIT QUIT QUIT QUIT QUIT QUIT

YES YOU CAN YES YOU CAN YES YOU CAN YES YOU CAN YES YOU CAN!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pegatha]

Thanks, everyone, for so many good ideas and suggestions! I plan to put some of those into practice.

 

[fitmom]

Make sure you change your pillowcase every night, so you aren't sleeping & breathing in your germs from the night before.

Also add bleach to a water bottle, dilute it 2-1. Then go around the house and spray and wipe down all the door handles & fixtures daily till you are over your cold. Anything surface that bleach will not harm.

I know it sounds crazy but, carry a small bottle of antibacterial soap that requires no soap.

Shopping cart handles -- so much germs-wipe them down

Also, lots of germs on the free weights and weight machine equipment at the gym! Wash your hands REALLY good after. J

 

[D-Lisch]

actually, I've had a cold since like... 3-4 weeks ago and I've had a stuffy nose and coughs since. I don't know if I just haven't had enough time to relax and recover or what, but it hasn't completely gone away. And last week, the only time I didn't have a slightly runny-nose, I still was sniffling from habit.. but of course it's back.

 

[HappyMomof4]

That's exactly what I have. I think you should go to the doctor. I did, and got antibiotics and cough syrup. I'm finally starting to dry up. You could continue with that cold for months.