Chronic Cough? Get iron in your diet

A study, presented at the scientific meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Chicago, suggests that iron deficiency may help explain why some other otherwise healthy, non smoking women have persistent coughs. It was found that a simple iron supplement could clear up the cough. The researchers studied 16 women with chronic cough who were found to have normal lung function, with no signs of asthma or other respiratory disease and no evidence of acid stomach reflux. All had iron deficiencies. Their vocal chords were very sensitive, making them cough and choke easily. These women were given iron supplements and after two months it was found that coughing and signs of inflammation in the mouth of the vocal cords were improved or completely resolved.