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Suggest Treatment For Dry Cough
Question: Hello. I've had a very dry cough that is causing me to gasp for air, almost like a severe asthma attack. I cannot get any air into my mouth and my nose fills with clear mucus so I can't breath through my nose during these episodes. Sometimes they are so severe they last minutes and I vomit. I have been prescribed albuterol, guaiatussin ac with codeine and bensonatate but I still am having these episodes. It's been over a week now. I was diagnosed with bronchitis and I do not have asthma. Am I really suffering from walking pneumonia? Rather than go to my PCP, should I go to the hospital. I'm completely lethargic and have been off work for almost a week. I was scared I was going to choke to death due to the lack of air, but my doctor told me I will not aspirate. Please help. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Antibiotics and home remedy is sufficient
Detailed Answer:
Hello Krisag, Thank you for your contact to healthcaremagic. We wish you a best health here. I am Dr. Arun Tank; I am infectious disease specialist & I am going to handle your query.
-All the symptoms you mentioned cough with choking, mucus plug all suggestive of bronchitis. Also you had been diagnosed as bronchitits. You have mentioned that your symptoms is started a week ago that means you have acute bronchitis, with no asthma. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi. Attack of which is common after a viral infection mostly influenza, respiratory syncital virus & rhino virus. Following infection with this virus and bronchitis there is subsequent bacterial infection which is usually by the pneumococcus, staphylococcus aureus.
- Usually in case of acute bronchitis bronchodialator, steroids are not prescribed they have no benefits in uncomplicated cases. I think yours has uncomplicated case. You can discuss antibiotics like Amoxycillin or doxycycline with your treating Doctor. You can take a antipyretics and analgesics and probiotics under your doctors guidence.
- For the severe cough you mentioned home remedy like lemon and honey; putting clove on mouth will be sufficient. No other treatment for cough is necessary.
-Some times Acute bronchitis may progress to chronic when it passes the time of 3 months. In such a case it is necessary to give a treatment. But in your case I think it will not happen.
-I think in your case it is not necessary to go to hospital give some time for bronchitis to heal. Do not worry nothing will happened to you.
-Also maintain the hygiene and keep fresh air. Bad air may predispose you to secondary infection.
I Hope I handle your query very well. If you have anything else to ask you can contact me. Wish you a very best health.
Antibiotics and home remedy is sufficient
Detailed Answer:
Hello Krisag, Thank you for your contact to healthcaremagic. We wish you a best health here. I am Dr. Arun Tank; I am infectious disease specialist & I am going to handle your query.
-All the symptoms you mentioned cough with choking, mucus plug all suggestive of bronchitis. Also you had been diagnosed as bronchitits. You have mentioned that your symptoms is started a week ago that means you have acute bronchitis, with no asthma. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi. Attack of which is common after a viral infection mostly influenza, respiratory syncital virus & rhino virus. Following infection with this virus and bronchitis there is subsequent bacterial infection which is usually by the pneumococcus, staphylococcus aureus.
- Usually in case of acute bronchitis bronchodialator, steroids are not prescribed they have no benefits in uncomplicated cases. I think yours has uncomplicated case. You can discuss antibiotics like Amoxycillin or doxycycline with your treating Doctor. You can take a antipyretics and analgesics and probiotics under your doctors guidence.
- For the severe cough you mentioned home remedy like lemon and honey; putting clove on mouth will be sufficient. No other treatment for cough is necessary.
-Some times Acute bronchitis may progress to chronic when it passes the time of 3 months. In such a case it is necessary to give a treatment. But in your case I think it will not happen.
-I think in your case it is not necessary to go to hospital give some time for bronchitis to heal. Do not worry nothing will happened to you.
-Also maintain the hygiene and keep fresh air. Bad air may predispose you to secondary infection.
I Hope I handle your query very well. If you have anything else to ask you can contact me. Wish you a very best health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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