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Hi I Have Had A Cough For About 2 Weeks
Question: Hi I have had a cough for about 2 weeks now. It's mostly non productive but I cough so much my stomach and sides hurt. Sometimes I cough unit I throw up. For the last several days my throat feels scratchy also. I was having a little cough about 2 weeks ago and I used some cleaning supplies when I helped a friend clean a house. Since then the cough has gotten worse. I know I should have gone to a doctor but I don't have insurance and I live on a fixed income. The cough is mostly non productive. It seems to be more from the back of my throat now but at one time it was from deep in my lungs. I have a breathing machine and I use it sometime which seems to help. I don't have fever and my o2 says are good. I do have a history of gerd and barriets esophagus. I sometimes think i might be aspirating food because i cough more after eating but not when drinking. What do you think. I'm retired nurse and I know I just need to go to the doctor but there's no telling how much that will cost. Thanks
Brief Answer:
GERD may cause the cough to last- treatment recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
It is very likely you have started with a viral infection of the respiratory system 2 weeks ago and the throat was getting irritated from the cleaning chemicals and possibly from GERD.
I would recommend you to use Omeprazole 40 mg 30 minutes before breakfast (you may take ranitidine 300 mg if you can not access omeprazole). Also, put bricks at the bedhead to lift it up and reduce the reflux of the stomach acids.
Try to eat frequent small amounts of food and drink frequent small amounts of fluids and avoid any food or fluids 3-4 hours before bedtime.
Avoid caffeine in the afternoons or late before sleeping, avoid smoking (even passive smoking) and alcohol.
You may use Vicks gel (on your chest) to open the airways and reduce cough or lozenges as well.
Guaifenesin is found to be helpful with the cough (it can be accessed over the counter).
If you are not better with these measures in 4-5 days or you feel you are any worse (cough is worsening, you have any fever, fatigue, shortness of breath), antibiotics may be indicated to treat a possible lung infection (atypical pneumonia).
In this case, a visit with the doctor is necessary and generally, azithromycin 250 mg, 2 tablets after lunch the first day and then one tabled after lunch the following 4 days is advisable. A small dose of steroids may be added with the antibiotic to reduce inflammation and relieve the cough.
Meanwhile, make sure you keep yourself hydrated and rest as possible.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
GERD may cause the cough to last- treatment recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
It is very likely you have started with a viral infection of the respiratory system 2 weeks ago and the throat was getting irritated from the cleaning chemicals and possibly from GERD.
I would recommend you to use Omeprazole 40 mg 30 minutes before breakfast (you may take ranitidine 300 mg if you can not access omeprazole). Also, put bricks at the bedhead to lift it up and reduce the reflux of the stomach acids.
Try to eat frequent small amounts of food and drink frequent small amounts of fluids and avoid any food or fluids 3-4 hours before bedtime.
Avoid caffeine in the afternoons or late before sleeping, avoid smoking (even passive smoking) and alcohol.
You may use Vicks gel (on your chest) to open the airways and reduce cough or lozenges as well.
Guaifenesin is found to be helpful with the cough (it can be accessed over the counter).
If you are not better with these measures in 4-5 days or you feel you are any worse (cough is worsening, you have any fever, fatigue, shortness of breath), antibiotics may be indicated to treat a possible lung infection (atypical pneumonia).
In this case, a visit with the doctor is necessary and generally, azithromycin 250 mg, 2 tablets after lunch the first day and then one tabled after lunch the following 4 days is advisable. A small dose of steroids may be added with the antibiotic to reduce inflammation and relieve the cough.
Meanwhile, make sure you keep yourself hydrated and rest as possible.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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