Hi, again.

I have thought of your situation today, and realize that this annoying cough of yours starts in Sept/Oct and persists through early spring, but is better in spring and summer. You also implied you were better from the allergy shots (do I understand correctly?).

All right, well... this time frame you mention corresponds with "the heating season". So, I ask:

a) what is the type of heating system your living space has (also, is work space different?):
1. hot air blown through vents
2. hot water transported through
radiators or baseboards
3. central stove
4. other type (please explain)


b) what is the type of fuel used by the heating system:
1. natural gas or propane
2. oil
3. wood
4. kerosens
5. coal
6. other (please explain)

"Allergies" during the season when you are having this cough can often be caused by the type of heating system, and, also, by improper ventilation (certain fuels cannot be 100% ventilated and always will pose a low-level poisoning situation to which some people cannot handle without getting at least a little bit constantly ill during the "heating season").

Now, if you add the possible problems presented by your home and work heating systems to you own unique set of modalities, you may understand further. Ask yourself, is the cough worse when it is a clear and cold and dry bright day outside?? You may be "worse from dry". Such a modality can usually be easily tested when a person has a cough, because the cough will lessen or disappear if you increase the humidity in the room. This, though, involves a bit more analysis, because I have seen patients who are better in air conditioned room, etc, etc. It is not always the "worse by dry" modality. It can be "worse by cold and dry", etc etc. If none of this is 100% obvious, though, I say let's forget pursuing this subject of the modalities of the cough It is usually my firm opinion that trying to elucidate the modalities of any one physical symptom (especially if the modalities are unclear) is a waste of time. Better to look at you as a whole person (see my questions in the previous post, where I ask you to tell us more about yourself, with as many examples as possible).

To repeat one other important point: you can also be reacting to the fuel vapours, so I always advise an investigation of the heating system whenever a patient has a symptom picture that corresponds to the time-frame when most families and businesses turn on the heat.

I bring up these subjects for your further consideration. As much as taking your proper homeopathic simillimum will strengthen you, you must concurrently make sure your environment is as healthy as possible.

[This message has been edited by kevin seymour (edited 12 October 1999).]

[This message has been edited by kevin seymour (edited 12 October 1999).]