What Do Chronic Cough And Shortness Of Breath Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 4 Apr 2017

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

Tue, 4 Apr 2017 Answered on

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a chest xray for chronic cough that showed mild coarsening of the interstitial lung markings, otherwise unremarkable. Later I had a high resolution CT scan that showed linear parenchymal scars in the right middle lobe and lingula. Scarring vs small area of atelectasis in the paravertebral area of the right lower lobe.

I do have shortness of breath sometimes and have been diagnosed with asthma and GERD. I suspect I also have some silent reflux that may be affecting my breathing and causing the cough. My concern is whether I also have interstitial lung disease and how all these (reflux, asthma, the scarring) affect each other. Any advice?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No, it is not interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
No, it is not due to ILD (interstitial lung disease).
ILD is almost always bilateral in nature.
So no need to worry for ILD.
In my opinion, you are mostly having scarring due to chronic reflux (GERD) and asthma.
Reflux causes micro aspiration in lung. And it is mostly seen in the right side. Micro aspirations are affecting more in diseased lung (asthma).
So no need to worry for ILD.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T