Suggest Treatment For Chronic Cough

Posted on Thu, 29 May 2014

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

Wed, 28 May 2014 Answered on

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a chronic cough which for various reasons I am now going to have a lung function test. However even with a peak flow metre I cough at the end of yhe breath...what happens if I do that with the spirometer rest?

Answered by Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (-16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Intractable cough to be controlled prior to pft.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting the query on HCM. After going through your query, I would like to comment the following:

1. You seem to be suffering from Bronchial Asthma. The cause of coughing seems to be hyperresponsive airways / secondary infection.

2. You need to get yourself evaluated by a pulmonologist.

3. Investigations that are required are: Chest Xray, Peripheral smear for eosinophils, Serum IgE levels and Pulmonary Function test.

4. Cough needs to be controlled prior to the spirometry as it will affect the spirometry interpretation. A course of antibiotics under your doctor's supervision may be required for that.

5. Based on your test evaluations, you may be required to take inhaled and oral medication on a regular basis for maintenance of your symptoms.

I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist

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

Follow up: Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (30 minutes later)

Thank you for your answer. Could you please explain number 3.... Apart from the chest X-ray...I don't know what the other 3 investigations mean.

Answered by Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Spirometer and blood tests.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up query. After going through your follow up query, I would like to comment the following:

1. "...Chest Xray, Peripheral smear for eosinophils, Serum IgE levels and Pulmonary Function test." Pulmonary function test is spirometry. Peripheral smear and serum IgE levels are blood tests to detect the severity of allergy.

I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist

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

Follow up: Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (29 hours later)

Hello

Today I had my chesy X-ray...I have been told it takes 2 weeks for the results. Why does it take so long?

Answered by Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Chest Xray can be read the very same day.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up. After going through your follow up query, I would like to comment the following:

1. Normally chest xray report is issued the very same day.

2. It takes a time of 2 weeks for therapeutic trial and followup xray to gauge the response of treatment.

I hope I have answered your query. I will be glad to answer follow up queries if any. Please accept my answer if you have no follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS MD DNB
Consultant Pulmonologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad