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Suggest Treatment For Excessive Coughing And Infection
Question: Hi,
My Mother who is 62 years old is having a strange issue. She seems to be having trouble coughing and whe she coughs I can hear the noice of phelgm(probably from her chest). HOwever it seems she is having hard time even coughing that out as she seems to be trying hard. GIven her nature she is reluctant to go to DOctors but her condition has been like that since weeks or so. I just wanted to ask is this can point to something serious. This is the only obsevable symptom at this time despit a little weakness.
My Mother who is 62 years old is having a strange issue. She seems to be having trouble coughing and whe she coughs I can hear the noice of phelgm(probably from her chest). HOwever it seems she is having hard time even coughing that out as she seems to be trying hard. GIven her nature she is reluctant to go to DOctors but her condition has been like that since weeks or so. I just wanted to ask is this can point to something serious. This is the only obsevable symptom at this time despit a little weakness.
Brief Answer:
Better to get done chest x ray and PFT.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
In my opinion, either lung infection or bronchitis are the possible causes for your mother's symptoms.
At her age of 62 years, cough, chest congestion, not able to expctorate, slight weakness etc are seen in either lung infection or bronchitis.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system.
2. Chest x ray.
3. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
Chest x ray is needed to rule out lung infection.
PFT is needed to rule out bronchitis.
Better to get done above mentioned investigations before progression of the disease.
So try to convince her for pulmonologist 's consultation and reports.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your mother.
Thanks.
Better to get done chest x ray and PFT.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
In my opinion, either lung infection or bronchitis are the possible causes for your mother's symptoms.
At her age of 62 years, cough, chest congestion, not able to expctorate, slight weakness etc are seen in either lung infection or bronchitis.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system.
2. Chest x ray.
3. PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
Chest x ray is needed to rule out lung infection.
PFT is needed to rule out bronchitis.
Better to get done above mentioned investigations before progression of the disease.
So try to convince her for pulmonologist 's consultation and reports.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your mother.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Doc,
What kind of Lung infection do you expect which is NOT resolving on its own after 3-4 weeks.
Also my question is not just the voice of Phelgm in her chest but she has to do a lot of effort just to cough. Seems like she can't apply much force to cough itself. She seems to be struggling to even cough. So she is getting a feeling that she wants to cough but is unable to do it until 4-5 retries
What kind of Lung infection do you expect which is NOT resolving on its own after 3-4 weeks.
Also my question is not just the voice of Phelgm in her chest but she has to do a lot of effort just to cough. Seems like she can't apply much force to cough itself. She seems to be struggling to even cough. So she is getting a feeling that she wants to cough but is unable to do it until 4-5 retries
Brief Answer:
Lung infection like pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
To expectorate sputum, one needs strong cough reflex and enough energy to generate force of coughing.
So in her case following are the causes for not able to cough out secrections.
1. Thick sputum production.
2. Less energy and force due to weakness.
And in pneumonia, tuberculosis and bronchitis, weakness is common symptom.
So get done chest x ray and PFT.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your mother.
Thanks.
Lung infection like pneumonia or tuberculosis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
To expectorate sputum, one needs strong cough reflex and enough energy to generate force of coughing.
So in her case following are the causes for not able to cough out secrections.
1. Thick sputum production.
2. Less energy and force due to weakness.
And in pneumonia, tuberculosis and bronchitis, weakness is common symptom.
So get done chest x ray and PFT.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your mother.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok, If its Tuberculosis then can she be contagious because we are all living with her since 4 weeks and none of us seems to have the same symptoms
Also what are the other symptoms of Tuberculosis and is the treatment include longer course of antibiotics only or some other short term modern treatment is available these days. Nowing my mother it will be difficult to put her on medicines so long. Also I am worried about the side effects
What is the treatment for bronchitis in case
Also what are the other symptoms of Tuberculosis and is the treatment include longer course of antibiotics only or some other short term modern treatment is available these days. Nowing my mother it will be difficult to put her on medicines so long. Also I am worried about the side effects
What is the treatment for bronchitis in case
Brief Answer:
Yes, if it is tuberculosis then it is contagious.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Answer to your 1st question.
Yes, if it is tuberculosis then it is contagious through droplet infection. Coughing, sneezing, laughing etc can produce droplets. These droplets discharge in environment and can infect others who are living nearby. And it is 100 %contagious. So not all will develop tuberculosis but if she is having tuberculosis then you all are at risk.
Answer to your 2nd question.
Other symptoms of tuberculosis are fever, weight loss, decreased oral intake etc. And treatment of tuberculosis is divided in two phases. Initial intensive phase for 2 months consisting 4 drugs. Followed by continuation phase for 4 months consisting 2 drugs.
Answer to your 3rd question.
Treatment of bronchitis consists inhaled bronchodilators and antihistamines drugs.
So don't worry too much about all these at present. First get done investigations and diagnose her.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your mother.
Thanks.
Yes, if it is tuberculosis then it is contagious.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Answer to your 1st question.
Yes, if it is tuberculosis then it is contagious through droplet infection. Coughing, sneezing, laughing etc can produce droplets. These droplets discharge in environment and can infect others who are living nearby. And it is 100 %contagious. So not all will develop tuberculosis but if she is having tuberculosis then you all are at risk.
Answer to your 2nd question.
Other symptoms of tuberculosis are fever, weight loss, decreased oral intake etc. And treatment of tuberculosis is divided in two phases. Initial intensive phase for 2 months consisting 4 drugs. Followed by continuation phase for 4 months consisting 2 drugs.
Answer to your 3rd question.
Treatment of bronchitis consists inhaled bronchodilators and antihistamines drugs.
So don't worry too much about all these at present. First get done investigations and diagnose her.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your mother.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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