Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Hiatal Hernia Mild, Bronchitis, Walking Pneumonia, On Doxycycline, Prilosec, Bland Diet
Question: I am a 66 year old male in good health with a mild hiatal hernia....in march I had a bout of bronchitis and walking pneumonia with a lot of hard coughing. Was given all kind of medicines and inhalers along with 2 weeks doxycycline....it has left me with a slight spasm of my hernia and a cough after eating. It does not happen all the time. Have been taking Prilosec and doing a bland diet...it is much better but was wondering what could be causing this and if my hernia was aggravated from the heavy coughing and medicines.
Hello and thank you for your query.
As for the hernia, it is certainly possible that coughing could have aggravated it. When we cough, we increase the pressure inside the abdomen which can sometimes aggravate previous injuries such as a hernia.
As for the pneumonia, it can take two to three months for the pneumonia to clear completely. While the infection is gone, the inflammation in the lung can remain and cause symptoms such as a persistent cough.
An inhaler might help with some of the spasm in the airway as your lungs continue to heal. I think Prilosec is a fine idea to use for the next few weeks to see if that helps as well.
If you have some acid reflux it can sometimes also trigger a cough. I don't think the medicines you have taken would affect the hernia but the coughing certainly could do so.
I thank you again for your query and i hope my answer has been adequate and helpful. I am available for your followups.
Dr. Robert
As for the hernia, it is certainly possible that coughing could have aggravated it. When we cough, we increase the pressure inside the abdomen which can sometimes aggravate previous injuries such as a hernia.
As for the pneumonia, it can take two to three months for the pneumonia to clear completely. While the infection is gone, the inflammation in the lung can remain and cause symptoms such as a persistent cough.
An inhaler might help with some of the spasm in the airway as your lungs continue to heal. I think Prilosec is a fine idea to use for the next few weeks to see if that helps as well.
If you have some acid reflux it can sometimes also trigger a cough. I don't think the medicines you have taken would affect the hernia but the coughing certainly could do so.
I thank you again for your query and i hope my answer has been adequate and helpful. I am available for your followups.
Dr. Robert
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you...the slight spasm I feel is at the hernia area and it makes me cough for a few minutes after I eat and then will disappear. As I mentioned it started after the bout of pneumonia. I am not able to take a cortisteriod inhaler because of a family history of glaucoma, so the inflammation would probably take longer to heal...is that correct? I do have a maxair inhaler in case I need it.
I can even press on the hernia area sometimes and it will make me cough...is there anything else you could suggest to help the hernia relax? It is much better but do want to make sure it does not get worse.
I can even press on the hernia area sometimes and it will make me cough...is there anything else you could suggest to help the hernia relax? It is much better but do want to make sure it does not get worse.
Hello and thanks for your followup.
As for other things which might benefit the healing process after pneumonia two medicines come to mind. One is albuterol and the other is ipratropium. Both of these come in inhalers and might be of some help to you. You could also take prilosec twice daily for 10 days to promote healing in your gastrointestinal tract as well.
I again hope these few points have been helpful to you my friend.
I am available for your followup if needed.
Thank you again.
Dr. Robert.
As for other things which might benefit the healing process after pneumonia two medicines come to mind. One is albuterol and the other is ipratropium. Both of these come in inhalers and might be of some help to you. You could also take prilosec twice daily for 10 days to promote healing in your gastrointestinal tract as well.
I again hope these few points have been helpful to you my friend.
I am available for your followup if needed.
Thank you again.
Dr. Robert.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
