Suggest Treatment For Dry Cough With Pain

Posted on Mon, 11 Aug 2014

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

Mon, 11 Aug 2014 Answered on

Tue, 2 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : hi , i have had really bad cold symptoms all last week then on friday my dry cough turned nasty giving me very sharp pain every time i cough, it is now monday and things haven't changed much except that i can smell an ammonia smell

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
need to see doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome to healthcaremagic,

Sharp pain in the chest while coughing is frequently due to a fractured rib. Rarely it can be due to inflammation of the pleura that covers your lungs.

I would definitely suggest you to see a doctor to rule out a fractured rib and also a lower respiratory tract infection.

The ammonia smell is due to cold that you had. In colds that are caused by viral infections the olfactory (smelling) memebrane can get damaged leading to abnormal perception of smells. Do not worry about it, in time you will be able to smell normally.

Till you see a doctor, follow some general measures like-
1) Drink lots of warm fluids.
2) Give your voice some rest.
3) Do steam inhalation and warm salt water gargling.
4) Get plenty of rest.

Regards,
Dr Rajkishori Godhi.

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