My GP recently shared a tidbit with me that I found both intriguing and, frankly, a bit daunting. Whooping Cough, it turns out, was historically known as the ‘100 day cough’, which is a pretty accurate descriptor considering it can last that long. So, it looks like I might be dealing with this for another 2-3 months – oh, the joy! But hey, there’s always a silver lining, right?
A Glimmer of Hope in the Midst of Coughing Spells
Amidst this not-so-cheerful news, my GP did offer a glimmer of hope, especially for those long, troublesome nights. Since cough medicines are off the table for me, and drinks – whether cold or warm – only seem to exacerbate my cough, I was eager for any advice. Here’s the interesting part: he suggested that during a coughing spell, I should try holding my breath for a whole minute. It sounds a bit unconventional, but he assured me that if I stick with this technique for a week, I should start seeing a reduction in the frequency and intensity of my coughing fits. My fingers are tightly crossed on this one!
Here’s to Hoping for Relief!
While it’s no magic cure, I’m willing to try just about anything to ease this persistent cough. So here’s to hoping that this little piece of advice is the trick I need to find some relief. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on my progress – stay tuned!
Facts I have gathered about Whooping Cough;
- It is more common in adults than in children
- Adults do not necessarily make the “whooping” noise because their airways are larger than infants.
- It is only a serious illness for infants
- Immunization only lasts for 10 years
- Most patients with whooping cough look well and can go for hours without coughing; they show no physical signs of illness.
- It is dangerous to catch during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy because there is an increased risk of passing it on to your newborn.
- There is little you can do to relieve the symptoms
- The vaccination is now being offered to women who are between 28 and 38 weeks of pregnancy.