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Suggest Treatment For Low Energy And Persistent Cough

Posted on Wed, 8 Mar 2017

Question: I get up feeling fine. With-in hours I am dragging and feel like all energy is gone, My blood work yesterday was normal, lung e-ray was normal. This has been going on for over three weeks. I did have a persistant cough for this period. Blood pressure is normal. I feel I am in limbo when I crash. I do not drink or use drugs of any kind and I do not smoke. Help.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following information required...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concern.

Your case in short:
- 80 years old male
- symptoms: feeling like energy is gone, persistent cough for 3 weeks now
- blood work fine
- lung x-ray normal
- blood pressure (bp) normal
- no drug, no smoking

Ok, taking all these into account, I'd like to know if you have measured your blood sugar levels when you feel energy is off? I'm suspecting a possible hypoglycemia episode.

Next, can you please upload your blood work: I need to check your electrolytes level to rule out dehydration? blood sugar levels? kidney/liver function test?

I am glad to know you are not using any drug or smoking, but I need to know if:
- you've been exposing to unusual fumes? environmental changes?
- do you have this low energy feeling after you cough hard? or even if you do not cough? What have you used for coughing so far?
- do you feel like burning or stomachache after eating? or during meals? I'm thinking a possible acid reflux or gastritis too.

Looking forward to have the requested information in.
Dr.Albana

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (4 hours later)

I do not have a copy of blood work,I do know it was 6 vials of blood and included ferritin,tbic,iron,t3, free, t4,free,tsh,uric acid,comprehensive metabolic pnl,vitamin d, 25-hydroxy R*, lipid panel and CBC hemogram. Only noted was mild dehydration after three days of vomiting.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Dehydration most probably the cause if everything else is ok...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Ok, no problem for the blood work results. As long as they were fine, nothing worrisome to me. I'm too thinking of dehydration if you have been having symptoms of gastroenteritis with vomiting.

Please keep well hydrated and eat your meals regularly. Can take oral rehydration salts for a few more days.
Continuously check your blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and record the results.
If no improvement, fluid replacement therapy suggested intravenously.

Hope this helps.
Dr.Albana

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

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