Dry cough is body’s way of coping with internal stress

Many have booked a long-planned holiday before confirmation of their pregnancy. There is usually a lot of opposition from the family. Please do not cancel your holiday. You and your husband probably need that time for yourselves—to think about and plan your pregnancy and your child. A word of caution though— travel only to places where quality medical help will be readily available. Carry your personal medical records with you and seek one consultation with your obstetrician a few days before you travel. If you are travelling abroad, ensure that you return before the cut-off date of the airline for pregnant women. Dr Jaishree Gajaraj, Consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

If you are relieving yourself from the stress or tension by drinking a cup of coffee or a glass of fruit juice or even smoking, one of these could induce dry cough. Your coffee or fruit juice contains sugar additives that is causing it. Any cough suppressant, as prescribed by a medical practitioner, could offer relief. However, the dry cough could be psychosomatic, a condition caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress. Remember, your body has its own way of cleansing germs that occupy the respiratory tract. Coughing is one of the ways. Dr. Sirkali G Sivachidambaram, Dean, Perambalur Government Medical College