Suggest Treatment For Pressure In Chest Area And Coughing Spells

Posted on Fri, 3 Apr 2015

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

Fri, 3 Apr 2015 Answered on

Tue, 28 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : For the past 3 months, I have the following symptoms: Tightness, pressure in the area of where my trachea or esophagus would be in my chest. Also, my voice disappears, it feels like I can't breath in and I have coughing spells. Sometimes the pressure is really bad and scares me. Sometimes it is not so bad, but always there. I have been checked out and apparently it is not my heart or my lungs- they are both good. When the pressure gets really bad, I am very uncomfortable sitting- so need to stand up or lay down. I get worn out very easily and actually feel a little better when I wake up than the rest of the day. Any ideas?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Upper endoscopy advised to rule out GERD....

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concerns.

Feeling tightness, pressure in the area where your trachea/esophagus is associated with coughing spells might be related to stomach issues like GERD or gastritis.
Can you please tell if you are also having heartburn especially after eating/drinking?

As long as your heart and lungs were ok, then, upper endoscopy is advised to evaluate GI problems as mentioned above.

For the moment, I advise to:
- be careful with food your consume
- try to avoid those foods/drinks that would trigger your symptoms
- eat often and small portions
- apart antacids after meal, I suggest to add Ranitidine or PPIs to your current treatment

Hope it helped!
Dr.Albana

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (28 hours later)

Thank you for the response. I very rarely have heartburn. What is Ranitidine and PPI's? Thank you, K

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini Greca (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Medications to treat hyperacidity of stomach in case of GERD/gastritis...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,

Ranitidine and PPIs (proton-pump-inhibitors) are medications to treat hyperacidity of the stomach in case of GERD or gastritis.
Although you rarely have heartburn, I still think you need an upper endoscopy to evaluate upper GI tract (esophagus, stomach and duodenum).

All the best!
Dr.Albana

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