Ask Your Pharmacist

Question:

I am a diabetic. When I have a cough, I am not too sure whether I can take the regular cough syrups for relief. Are there any other things I can do?

Answer:

For the relief of such short-term conditions, additional sugars from the recommended dosages of cough syrup do not constitute a major problem in diabetics.

However, the key interest in an episode of cough is whether there is any co-existing infection, as diabetic control is often affected during such infections. Your primary concern during illness is to monitor your glucose level and seek advice from your healthcare professional if your diabetes is out of control.

However, if you still prefer a sugar-free product, these cough preparations are available from your neighborhood pharmacies. You can obtain more information from your pharmacist too.

On the other hand, you may find steam inhalations useful for your condition. The steam helps to liquefy any secretions if your cough is a productive one. The warm moist air can be comforting too. A cloth or towel can be placed over the head to trap the steam.

When you are experiencing your coughing episodes, it is good to maintain high fluid intakes as this helps to hydrate the airway. Hot drinks can have a

soothing effect. Sugar free lozenges can also be sucked to alleviate irritations, but do not consume excessive sugar free preparation as they may bring about diarrhea.

In general, if your cough lasts more than 2 weeks, do consult your doctor.

For further inquiry, you can email your question to admin@pss.org.sg