City Allergy

Category: Patient Education > Cough > For Allergy Fellows > Topics for Medical Professionals  

Laryngeal Sensory Neuropathy, Hypersensitive Larynx

An uncommon cause of chronic cough is laryngeal sensory neuropathy.  This occurs when the larynx suffers an injury and becomes hypersensitive to the slightest irritant resulting in a chronic dry cough.  The same medications prescribed for other neuropathic conditions (such as painful diabetic neuropathy) are often effective in suppressing cough.

The typical patient has been suffering from the condition for some time and seen a few doctors, perhaps been diagnosed with a “postnasal drip,” allergy, reflux or asthma but does not reliably respond to any medication.  Their frustration level is high.  The cough is interfering with their social life, sleep and work performance.

History:

Diagnosis:

Treatment:  Response to medication is sometimes apparent within a day or two.