What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Cough While On Antibiotics And Steroids?

Posted on Fri, 15 Sep 2017

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

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 Answered on

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : nine years ago I woke up one morning with a cough that would not go away. Drs would give me antibiotic and steroids for the shortness of breath.
the antibiotics and steroids keep me feeling good until they wear off in about six week and then I get it all over again, I've had lots of lung tests, chest exrays abd cat scans allergy testing, I would love to know what is causing this problem and solve it for goodl

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of chronic bronchitis is more likely.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
By your history and description, possibility of chronic bronchitis is more likely.
Most common cause for chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking.
Other common causes are chronic allergies, recurrent lung infections, chronic fumes or chemicals exposure.
In some cases it is hereditary in nature.
In some cases it is idiopathic (without any known cause) in nature.
So please let me know if you have any of the above causative factor.
Also tell me your latest lung functions because severity of bronchitis is based on decrease in lung functions and treatment is based on severity only.
Inhaled bronchodilators (formoterol or salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone) are the treatment of choice.
Please let me know if you are taking any regular inhaled treatment. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana