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Suggest Treatment For Cough, Shortness Of Breath, Heart Burn And Bloating

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Posted on Mon, 16 Mar 2015
Question: Could you please assist me. I am very concerned. I am having the following symptoms: chronic coughing(sometime with phlegm and sometimes not), shortness of breath, sometimes bloating after eating, wheezing, belching quite often, sometimes a feeling like a lump in throat, and gas. Sometimes hoarseness but not always. Sometimes I have heartburn but not bad. Sometimes a sore throat but not always. The coughing and the wheezing and shortness of breath have gotten worse in the last couple of months. I thought it was acid reflux but I am not so sure. I feel tired and have put on weight around the middle quite a bit probably 15 to 20 lbs in the last year. I just turned 52 and have not had a period in the last five months. I have had some coughing for several years but it has gotten worse particularly since my illness in December when I got the flu and bronchitis' I had a very severe cough during this incident also.
Do you have any recommendations?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
7 recommendations

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I am Dr MIttal
I have read your query
I think the symptoms are indeed suggestive of severe GERD
It may have worsened in flu because of the virus causing more gastitis.

I have read your are on PPI like neksium and prevacid.
But you are taking it once a day, hopefully on empty stomach half hour before food.
However there are many other things you need to do.

1. You can take a syrup of sucralfate. Taking 3 tsf of it 3 times a day will help.

2. Also, PPI effects last 24 hours. So when you take medicines in morning, the effects last till night and during night, the acid is formed in greater concentration. I suggest taking an antacid at night- I usually suggest Ranitidine 150 mg.

3. Take plenty of fluids- at least 2-3 litres should help.

4. Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea.

5. Avoid spicy, oily and non veg diet.

6. Keep the head end of the bed raised by 2 bricks so that acid reflux is reduced at night.

7. Have yourself tested for bronchitis formally by a pulmonologist. If you have bronchitis, inhalers like salbutamol will help you a lot.

I hope that helps. Best of luck.
Dr Mittal
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Saumya Mittal

Diabetologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2897 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Cough, Shortness Of Breath, Heart Burn And Bloating

Brief Answer: 7 recommendations Detailed Answer: Hi I am Dr MIttal I have read your query I think the symptoms are indeed suggestive of severe GERD It may have worsened in flu because of the virus causing more gastitis. I have read your are on PPI like neksium and prevacid. But you are taking it once a day, hopefully on empty stomach half hour before food. However there are many other things you need to do. 1. You can take a syrup of sucralfate. Taking 3 tsf of it 3 times a day will help. 2. Also, PPI effects last 24 hours. So when you take medicines in morning, the effects last till night and during night, the acid is formed in greater concentration. I suggest taking an antacid at night- I usually suggest Ranitidine 150 mg. 3. Take plenty of fluids- at least 2-3 litres should help. 4. Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea. 5. Avoid spicy, oily and non veg diet. 6. Keep the head end of the bed raised by 2 bricks so that acid reflux is reduced at night. 7. Have yourself tested for bronchitis formally by a pulmonologist. If you have bronchitis, inhalers like salbutamol will help you a lot. I hope that helps. Best of luck. Dr Mittal