Suggest Treatment For Cough With Squeezing Feeling In The Chest

Posted on Wed, 1 Jul 2015

Question: My previous doctor called it a cough, but it doesn't feel like any other cough I've had. It feels as though someone is squeezing in and up on my chest. Also albuterol did not help, but atrovent did. Any idea as to why atrovent would be effective when albuterol wasn't?

Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
These drugs have different mechanisms of action. COPD vs Asthma.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. This seems to be COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or a reactive airway rather than an asthma. These cause tightness in the chest and a productive cough.

2. Both Atrovent (ipratropium) and Albuterol (salbutamol) work as bronchodilators but by different mechanisms and duration of action. Atrovent also dries up the secretions. Hence it may be the better acting medication.

3. Pulmonary (Lung) Function Tests (PFTs) should help differentiate COP from asthma after use of a bronchodilator.

4. You should discuss other medications such as longer acting beta agonists with your doctor and use of steroids for a reactive airway.

I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar