Stubborn Dry Cough

It was early last year when I first started to have allergic reactions to dust, smoke, and certain scents (i.e. cologne/perfume and chemicals/solvents). The allergy cough went on for months, because I delayed checkup. You see, I don’t like checkups for two reasons: I don’t like going to hospitals, because the sight of sick people—especially the older ones—depresses me; and I don’t like taking medicines, because I have reservations about western medicine. I always preferred doing it the natural way—fluids, rest, natural sources of vitamins. When my parents finally succeeded in talking me into seeing a doctor, the coughing was healed after a week of treatment.

Lately, I’ve been coughing again—the same kind I had last year. Once again I tried to avoid checkup for reasons stated above. However, after two painful months, I had to come to terms with reality that no amount fluids, rest, and vitamin intake could cure it; especially because I commute to work and the air pollution in Metro Manila is really bad (the early morning/late afternoon Ortigas skyline view from my area would attest to that).

And so I caved. Besides, last year’s treatment was effective.

My first appointment with the (same) doctor was last July 17. The doctor prescribed medication for allergy/asthma and antibiotics (since the day before I caught a cold). I was also advised to sleep early and avoid stress. The follow-up checkup was last Saturday, wherein I learned that the coughing is caused by asthma. Aside from what the doctor prescribed the last time (sans the antibiotics and cough syrup), he also prescribed inhaler, which I refuse to take because I fear that the side effects would do more harm than good. Antihistamine et al. should do it for me, at least for one more week.

Checkup 1 Medication

For the one-week challenge, I resolve to: take my vitamins and medicine on time; sleep early; avoid cold drinks/food; avoid sweets; avoid strenuous activities.