Suggest Remedy For Severe Cough In An Elderly Person

Posted on Tue, 3 Nov 2015

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

Tue, 3 Nov 2015 Answered on

Tue, 1 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : hi my dad is 69 yrs old
since three four weeks he has coughing issue
very severe cough with phlegm and worsens during day
severe bouts of cough lasting several minutes each time

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get done chest x ray first.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Possibility of either lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) or bronchitis is more in your father's case.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system.
2. Chest x ray.
3. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
Chest x ray I needed to rule out LRTI (pneumonia).
PFT is must for the diagnosis of bronchitis.
It will also tell you about severity of the disease. And treatment of bronchitis is based on severity only.
He may need antibiotics, inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid.
So better to first diagnose himself and than start appropriate treatment.
Please let me know if he is smoker.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.

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