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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough
Hi there I have a cough for about 2 months now. Clear bubbly phlegm sometimes with streaks of green. sometime the cough gets so bad I need too take a ashtma pump or even go on a nebulizer. I ve done a spit and blood test and it came out negative for TB or pneumonia. I ve done X rays and they said I have an infection in my left lung.. They gave me prednison, anti biotic, and something for the cough and pain (my back or lung area pain so much of the excessive coughing). I m still not better even though the meds made me better while I was on it. I have never been diagnosed with asthma.. I have cats but I ve had them since I was a teen (im 26).. I slept in a room with mould for probably more than 12 months but not anymore. I was a smoker for almost 10 years buts I stop for a month and a week now. I m trying to eat more healthy ( mainly green veggies) I m not sure what to do. I can t remember having a good night sleep or laughing or exercising (even walking a short distance) without worrying about my chest pulling tight. Any suggestions?
posted on
Wed, 22 Jul 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 9 Jul 2020
Answered on
Wed, 15 Jul 2020
Last reviewed on
Hello,
As per my clinical experience, the persistent cough needs extensive work up in form of:
- Complete hemogram with differential and total WBC count
- ESR and CRP
- Sputum microscopy with culture sensitivity
- X-ray chest
- Pulmonary function tests
- Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis in selected cases
- CT thorax in needed cases
My guidelines at present:
- Continue current antibiotics as prescribed by your doc
- Cough formulations such as dextromethorphan, codeine phosphate or else
- Steroid shots or medicines are choice of consultant depending upon the case severity
- Preference of semi-reclining position when doing rest
- Avoid smoking (active or passive) strictly
- Consume balanced nutritious diet
- Broncho-dilator as theophyllin, mast cell stabiliser as Monetlukast
However, any of your available reports as an attachment during follow up discussion would prove best at this stage.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel, General Surgeon
As per my clinical experience, the persistent cough needs extensive work up in form of:
- Complete hemogram with differential and total WBC count
- ESR and CRP
- Sputum microscopy with culture sensitivity
- X-ray chest
- Pulmonary function tests
- Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis in selected cases
- CT thorax in needed cases
My guidelines at present:
- Continue current antibiotics as prescribed by your doc
- Cough formulations such as dextromethorphan, codeine phosphate or else
- Steroid shots or medicines are choice of consultant depending upon the case severity
- Preference of semi-reclining position when doing rest
- Avoid smoking (active or passive) strictly
- Consume balanced nutritious diet
- Broncho-dilator as theophyllin, mast cell stabiliser as Monetlukast
However, any of your available reports as an attachment during follow up discussion would prove best at this stage.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel, General Surgeon
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