I'm a 23-year-old guy and I've been dealing with a dry cough for over two weeks now, and I'm really not sure what I should do next. For the last five days, I've been taking a spoon of Benadryl before bed, and while it seems to help with the cough for the first half of the next day, it comes back around 3 PM. I've also tried putting eucalyptus oil and Vicks on my chest at night, but I haven't really noticed much of a difference. Just recently, my mom started giving me this homemade herbal mix that I think has ginger and honey, along with turmeric milk, and it seems to be helping somewhat. Generally, I'm pretty active and into sports and running, and I haven't felt any drop in my energy or stamina because of the cough. It's just really starting to get on my nerves and I'm getting a bit worried. Could you share any ideas or solutions for what's going on with me?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Shubham Chauhan

General Practitioner

MBBS
4+ Yrs

Consult Now

It's good to hear that the homemade herbs mixture with ginger, honey, and turmeric milk is providing some relief. To further address your dry cough, I recommend trying Robitussin DM (Dextromethorphan and Guaifenesin) syrup. You can take 10ml of Robitussin DM every 4-6 hours as needed to suppress the cough and help loosen mucus. Additionally, you can continue with the Benadryl at night for its antitussive effects. Make sure to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and avoid irritants such as smoke or strong odors. If your symptoms persist or worsen, it would be advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and management.

Dr. Shubham Suggests...

Consult a Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Specialist

Find a Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine Specialist

Answered 04/07/2025

More Pulmonology/ Respiratory Medicine Health Queries

View all

My mom had some fluid taken out from her lungs and the lab tests said it's not TB. But she still has this fever in the evenings, sweats a lot at night, can't really catch her breath well, and her heart's racing. Could these be signs of pneumonia or maybe even TB?

these are symptoms of tuberculosis

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I've been having this sharp, needle-like pain in my upper right chest near my collarbone, especially when I breathe or move my head sideways, and it's been going on for about three weeks now. Before this, there was a constant pain in my shoulder that just kind of disappeared on its own. I'm really wondering what this could be? Should I be worried about this?

Could be due to inflammation of the muscles or tendons in that area. This type of pain can sometimes radiate from the shoulder to the chest. To help relieve the pain and inflammation, you can try taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) at a dose of 400mg to 800mg every 6-8 hours with food. Additionally, applying a topical pain relief gel containing diclofenac (e.g., Voltaren) to the painful area can also help. It is important to rest the affected area, avoid activities that worsen the pain, and apply ice packs for 15-20 minutes several times a day. If the pain persists or worsens, it is recommended to follow up with a healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors