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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Cough And Chest Congestion
Posted on
Sat, 8 Nov 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 8 Nov 2014
Answered on
Tue, 2 Dec 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : I also have a cough that is not much but it is there from time to time. I feel something there in my lungs when I breathe...sometimes, not often
Brief Answer:
Try steam inhalation & salt water gargling.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Impacted mucus in bronchus or trachea can give a foreign body feeling (like something is present).
2. Steam inhalation around 5-10 minutes, twice a day, will dissolve most of the mucus and will help you in expectoration. I do not want to advise mucolytics as, steam inhalation is alone very beneficial and can clear the sinuses too.
3. Occasional cough is possibly due to allergic reaction or irritation is posterior part of the oral cavity. Salt water gargling along with lozenges should be beneficial. Avoid cough suppressants, as they can cause drowsiness.
4. Good to know that you are taking care of another elderly person. The pain in your arms with pain in the neck is most probably due to physical exertion. You can take NSAID painkillers for these.
However, due to age related osteoporosis and other degenerative change, spondylosis of the cervical region needs to be ruled out. If the pain is persistent and disturbs sleep in the night, a lateral X-ray of the cervical region would be necessary. You might need to wear cervical collar, if its cervical spondylosis.
5. Take good amount of fluids to stay hydrated as well as to wash any allergen in the posterior part of oral cavity.
6. Due to cough, your muscles must be strained. So deep breathing can cause some amount of the pain in the rib area as well as in the stomach area.
7. You will require some amount of rest to recover from your physical exertion. Try to concentrate on weight reduction. See if you can find any food or environment, which can exacerbate your cough.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Try steam inhalation & salt water gargling.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Impacted mucus in bronchus or trachea can give a foreign body feeling (like something is present).
2. Steam inhalation around 5-10 minutes, twice a day, will dissolve most of the mucus and will help you in expectoration. I do not want to advise mucolytics as, steam inhalation is alone very beneficial and can clear the sinuses too.
3. Occasional cough is possibly due to allergic reaction or irritation is posterior part of the oral cavity. Salt water gargling along with lozenges should be beneficial. Avoid cough suppressants, as they can cause drowsiness.
4. Good to know that you are taking care of another elderly person. The pain in your arms with pain in the neck is most probably due to physical exertion. You can take NSAID painkillers for these.
However, due to age related osteoporosis and other degenerative change, spondylosis of the cervical region needs to be ruled out. If the pain is persistent and disturbs sleep in the night, a lateral X-ray of the cervical region would be necessary. You might need to wear cervical collar, if its cervical spondylosis.
5. Take good amount of fluids to stay hydrated as well as to wash any allergen in the posterior part of oral cavity.
6. Due to cough, your muscles must be strained. So deep breathing can cause some amount of the pain in the rib area as well as in the stomach area.
7. You will require some amount of rest to recover from your physical exertion. Try to concentrate on weight reduction. See if you can find any food or environment, which can exacerbate your cough.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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