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Suggest Treatment For Dry Cough, Fatigue And Severe Pain In The Rib Cage

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Posted on Tue, 25 Oct 2016
Twitter Tue, 25 Oct 2016 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 14 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on
Question : Last week I to the ER for chest pain the doctor said that my heart were good and that she believed that I had a stomach virus which in terms cause m ucus around the heart. I wasn't given any medication. She just recommended that I do a follow up with my primary physician. I did the follow up and I were told it was from the acid reflux and continue to take medication for that. Right about now I am really confused because now I been having a dry cough, pain in left rib cage, fever, fatigue but unable to sleep and a stuffy runny nose. Thanks lost for answers
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Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explanation and suggetions provided.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. Reflux of the acids to the food pipe will automatically irritate the respiratory tract and lead to dry cough.

The fever, pain in left rib cage, and runny nose are possibly due to an independent viral infection.

In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fibre intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Take paracetamol or acetaminophen to control the fever or body ache (including the pain in rib cage) when needed.
* Take cetirizine or some other antiallergic and that will help in lessening the runny nose.
* Take steam inhalation. Water in form of vapor will reach deep inside and will help in making the dry cough productive.

Hope that helps.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Dry Cough, Fatigue And Severe Pain In The Rib Cage

Brief Answer: Explanation and suggetions provided. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. Reflux of the acids to the food pipe will automatically irritate the respiratory tract and lead to dry cough. The fever, pain in left rib cage, and runny nose are possibly due to an independent viral infection. In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following: * Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals. * Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit). * Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast. * Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fibre intake. * Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper. * Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help. * Take paracetamol or acetaminophen to control the fever or body ache (including the pain in rib cage) when needed. * Take cetirizine or some other antiallergic and that will help in lessening the runny nose. * Take steam inhalation. Water in form of vapor will reach deep inside and will help in making the dry cough productive. Hope that helps. Let me know if I could help further. Regards