Changing Seasons: Cough Cough, Everyone Seems to be Sick

Fall began on Friday, September 22nd.  It seems since the arrival of autumn, everyone is coming down with a common cold or upper respiratory infection.  Changing seasons:  Cough Cough, Everyone Seems to be Sick.  What’s up with that?

Changing seasons bring changing outdoor temperatures and weather conditions. Different viruses flourish in different temperatures and weather environments.  So, the introduction of fall brings weather conditions conducive to the viruses that make people sick with common colds and upper respiratory infections.  And school and other gathering places that resume their normal schedules after long summer breaks, become natural breeding grounds for viruses to spread.

A common cold or upper respiratory infection may produce acute cough as a symptom.  But If The Cough Remains After the Cold or Upper Respiratory Infection is Gone, You May Now Have a Chronic Cough.  Persistent Cough that lingers, generally 8 weeks or longer, is not likely to go away with more time alone.  The cold or upper respiratory infection you had weeks ago and has since gone away may have triggered the mechanism in your body that produces Chronic Cough.  And Chronic Cough requires a different Cough treatment approach than acute cough associated with a common cold or upper respiratory infection.

Be vigilant.  If you or someone you know is Coughing for weeks after a common cold or upper respiratory infection is gone, then it is time to be evaluated and treated by a Cough Expert.  Cough begets more Cough.  That means, the more you Cough, the more you will Cough.

Early intervention and early treatment of Persistent Cough is beneficial.  Accurate diagnosis of Persistent Cough and a Targeted and Effective Cough Treatment Plan:

  • Minimizes the time to be suffering with an annoying and embarrassing Cough that can result in sleepless nights
  • Avoids the side effects that can be associated with other over-the-counter and prescription medications that do not effectively address Chronic Cough
  • Saves money that may be wasted with doctor visits and medications that do not address Chronic Cough

Dr. Mandel Sher is a leading and nationally renown Cough Doctor: 727-393-8067.  

Dr. Sher established Center for Cough to give specific focus and identity to the medical condition known as Chronic Cough or Persistent Cough.  Center for Cough’s results are REMARKABLE!  Over 8 out of 10 patients achieve measurable cough relief and report a meaningful improvement in the quality of overall life.  Dr. Sher’s treatment approach is a blend of evidence-based medicine practice with innovation derived from his role as a leading investigator of Clinical Research Studies and contributor to medical literature.

Changing seasons: Cough Cough, Different Viruses Flourish and Make People Sick

Urine Leakage and Persistent Cough: Double Whammy Embarrassment

Urine leakage and Persistent Cough…Sometimes, for some people with Chronic Cough, they go hand-in-hand.  As if feeling embarrassed by your Chronic Cough isn’t enough, you may occasionally leak urine when you Cough.  Urine leakage may be happening because Chronic Cough is a pressure increasing activity that may tax your pelvic muscles and urinary sphincter.  You may be more likely to leak urine when you Cough if your bladder is full.  This form of urinary incontinence is called “stress incontinence.”  Women leak urine when they Cough more often than men, but it does affect both men and women.

Dr. Mandel Sher addresses management of urine leakage when it is associated with Persistent Cough.  It is part of a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan for Chronic Cough.

Dr. Mandel Sher is a nationally renown Cough Specialist.  In addition to caring for adults with an unexplained cough that won’t go away, Dr. Sher leads clinical research studies evaluating potential new Cough drugs, and is a frequent contributor to advancing the medical, scientific and research communities understanding and treatment of Chronic Cough.  Dr. Mandel Sher’s and Center for Cough’s care and services are evidence -based medicine blended with the innovative approach that comes from Dr. Sher being on the cutting-edge of groundbreaking Cough treatment.

Dr. Sher’s Chronic Cough patients are achieving remarkable real and sustainable results!  Over 8 out of 10 Persistent Cough patients at Dr. Sher’s Center for Cough, demonstrate a measurable decrease in Cough frequency and report an overall improvement in quality of life – even when they have seen other doctors and failed other Cough therapies.

Contact:  Dr. Mandel Sher and Center for Cough:  727-393-8067. www.centerforcough

Decluttering Hurricane Style: What I Learned About Myself During Hurricane Irma

First and most importantly, I hope Dr. Mandel Sher and Center for Cough team’s patients and families throughout Florida and Georgia came through Hurricane Irma relatively unscathed.  (Center for Cough’s practice location is experiencing a temporary power outage.  In the meantime, Dr. Sher is available 24/7.  Please call:  1-877-381-1131 and the after-hours answering service will connect you with Dr. Sher.)  Thank You to all the people and professionals who demonstrate acts of loving kindness and responsiveness to lighten the load of others.  I am a Center for Cough team member who learned a lot about myself during Hurricane Irma and am grateful for the lesson learned.  “Declutter Your Home, Declutter Your Life,” a currently popular mantra and activity, was actualized during my hurricane preparation and evacuation.  Until Hurricane Irma, weeding through “stuff” into the “yes” and “no” piles was a weekend recreational activity.  Decluttering hurricane style clarified what is the “stuff” that must stay.

4:24 AM Saturday a text message announced Tampa Bay was Irma’s direct hit target.  Our extended family decided to evacuate – NOW.  No time to think.  No time to take “stuff.”  Like others in history, often for different reasons, who have fled their homes in darkness with the hope of finding safe haven, we left.  My great grandparents’ candlesticks and photo albums – the treasures I had always imagined I would grab during emergency planning – left.  My husband, our dog, me, medications, food and drink for the road, cell phones and chargers, and a change of clothes and shoes – that was it.  We kissed our doorpost goodbye and left.  Now here’s what I learned about myself:

I didn’t look back.  I didn’t have a fleeting thought of “I should have…” All of my prayers were focused on the safety and well being of our family, friends, and community.  Our “stuff”is the color of the life we have built, but it’s all dispensable.  Decluttering hurricane style demonstrated that even “stuff” that brings joy and gives meaning can be left behind.  The memories are ours forever.

So grateful.  So much wiser.  A loved-one’s hand in yours and a furry friend lying his head on your lap – those are the treasures that are the cornerstones of our lives.  Now this wisdom is ours too.  Decluttering like your life may depend on it – we will be sharing much of our “stuff” with others who really need it.  I know now we can live without it.

We all go forward – together.

The Importance of CONTINUITY: People with Chronic Cough and Other Chronic Medical Conditions Require Special Preparation Before, During & After a Hurricane

Right on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, our State of Florida is in harm’s way from Hurricane Irma.  While Irma’s path  is unknown at this writing, many Floridians and specifically, many of Dr. Mandel Sher’s Chronic Cough patients on the Gulf Coast of Florida, East Coast of Florida, throughout the State of Florida and Southeast region of the United States will be affected.  So, we hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

The Importance of Continuity: People with Chronic Cough and other Chronic Medical Conditions Require Special Preparation Before, During & After a Hurricane. 

People with Persistent Cough often have more than one Chronic Medical Condition.  For example, Asthma is a Chronic Respiratory Condition that acts as an irritant and triggers Chronic Cough.  It is vitally important to the health and welfare of people with Chronic Medical Conditions to be vigilant before, during, and after a hurricane, especially about medications.

Please abide by the universal preparedness guidelines for a hurricane.  In addition, if you or someone you love has a Chronic Medical Condition, then please consider the following  tips to optimize Continuity during a disaster:  People with Chronic Cough and other Chronic Medical Conditions Require Special Preparation Before, During & After a Hurricane:  

  • Medication Continuity & Supply: Interruption of medication regimens before, during, and after a storm was the single largest contributor to acute illnesses and Emergency Room visits during Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy.  Medication supply and/or your access to a pharmacy for medication refills may be limited before, during and after a hurricane.  Be sure to have enough medication on-hand to last the entire storm period including the aftermath and cleanup.
  • Early Evacuation: Community evacuation shelters can be particularly hard for older people or people chronic medical conditions.  Sleep conditions, food and water, and personal hygiene may be compromised.  Infections may be spread.  If evacuation is anticipated, please consider evacuating early to a safe destination to avoid the trauma associated with moving to and living in a shelter.
  • Medication Knowledge: Keep a list of your medications with you.  If your physician or hospital is inaccessible during and after a disaster, you may not have access to your medical record.
  • Expectations for Your Chronic Cough: Hurricanes may introduce or exaggerate environmental irritants that stimulate Cough frequency and intensity.  Be aware of increased dryness, throat tickle and urge to cough.
  • Minimize Disaster–Related Stress: Stress exacerbates underlying bodily functions which in turn increases the severity of the Chronic Medical Condition.  For example, consider the adverse impact of stress on blood pressure and hypertension.  Hurricanes can be traumatic and disaster-related stress is a likely consequence.  So, while it may not be possible to avoid, try to minimize.
  • Adopt an Attitude of Gratitude and Be Kind to One Another: After all, it can always be worse.

Dear Center for Cough patients and fellow Floridians, stay safe.  Here’s to you and yours good health and welfare.  Dr. Mandel Sher and Center for Cough team:  727-393-8067.