Hoarse Voice, Tickle In Throat, Not Able To Speak. Had Gone For Endoscopy, Angiography. Suggest Some Medication

Posted on Tue, 26 Mar 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 Answered on

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi there.....my dad had an endoscopy to check how much damage he has to the mitral valves (I believe) he also had an angiogram that same day. He came out with a hoarse voice and a tickle feeling in the back of the throat. It has progressed to a dry hacking cough with every breath....except when he goes to bed at night. Then it stops. He has tried cough drops, cough syrup, peppermint, gum etc. Nothing helps and it is so bad he can't converse with anyone..He is 80 years old. Its driving him nuts! Can you suggest anything to try? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 hours later)

Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. First get a Videolaryngoscopy done. This is a simple examination that will help settle the diagnosis. A stroboscopy, if available will also help. You may share the images or video here.

2. Though his cardiac status may be the cause of his cough, there are other causes that need to be ruled out.

3. Causes for his hoarse voice include post intubation laryngeal injury, a vocal cord palsy, sometimes due to severe cough, a post nasal drip and so on.

4. Have any Lung Function Tests been done? Is he on any blood pressure medication? have his blood tests been done to rule out eosinophilia?

5. Linctus Codeine may help if all other cough medications have failed. However it should be used with caution in the elderly. Check whether he has tried cough suppressants and not expectorants.

I hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar