To Our Persistent Cough Patients from Texas and Louisiana: An Open Letter

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To  Dr. Mandel Sher’s Cough Patients from Texas and Louisiana:  An Open Letter

The devastation is hard for us to imagine.  The immediate and longer-term toll on life, health, property, economy and so much more pose what may now seem like insurmountable challenges.  But based on the determination and perseverance demonstrated by Dr. Mandel Sher’s Cough patients who travel from Texas and Louisiana for his Cough expertise, we are optimistic that relief and recovery lie ahead.    We understand that travel plans for Cough patients who normally travel from Texas or Louisiana to see Dr. Mandel Sher may temporarily be interrupted.   So, the purpose of this open letter to Center for Cough’s Cough patients from Texas and Louisiana is to reach-out and express our concern, support, and gratitude for you and all those professional and civilian responders who are helping you and yours.

Dr. Mandel Sher and Center for Cough understand that our Cough patients from Texas and Louisiana may experience an exacerbation of their Chronic Cough due to Cough irritants.  In addition, Texans who were not suffering with Chronic Cough before Harvey’s flooding and standing water may now find themselves with a persistent cough triggered by environmental irritants.

Allergies and Asthma, are Cough irritants that may be stimulated from mold and environmental factors associated with Hurricane Harvey.   Even people who have not had Chronic Cough before Hurricane Harvey may find that they are “hard-wired” to cough and recently introduced or exaggerated environmental irritants may trigger cough. 

Here are some of the health affects Dr. Mandel Sher’s Cough patients from Texas and Louisiana might anticipate:

  • Increased Cough Frequency and Intensity: One of the potential consequences of flooding and standing water is mold.  Mold can trigger allergies and/or asthma.  And, allergies and/or asthma can trigger Chronic Cough.
  • Stomach Distress: Our Cough patients who experience a dry persistent cough are advised to sip, sip, sip water to stay hydrated and lubricated.  Another potential consequence of flooding and standing water is contamination of a water source.  And, contaminated water source can result in stomach distress.
  • Mosquito Borne Illnesses: Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.  At best, mosquitoes are pesky annoyances.  At worst, mosquito borne illnesses such as West Nile virus and Zika can result in health effects.
  • Stress, Anxiety and/or Depression: Hurricane Harvey and its impact are traumatic.  The mental health challenges affect everyone – those people with existing stress, anxiety and/or depression conditions as well as give rise to new conditions.

Thank You to the people of Texas and Louisiana for demonstrating determination, resiliency, and kindness to one another while weathering this storm.  Dr. Mandel Sher’s and Center for Cough team’s hearts and thoughts are with you.  727-393-8067.