Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cold And Cough

Posted on Fri, 30 Dec 2016

Question: I have had cold symptoms for 2 weeks. A cough that seems to worsen at night and am getting little sleep. I work retail and am on me feet all day, I have been having issues with water retention in my feet. Also the coughing is causing what appears to be burst blood vessels in my eyes, lids and some small spots on my face. I have been only managing 3 hours of sleep per night and am exhausted. I have been taking many over the counter cold medications such as Advil cold and sinus, Buckley cough syrup and Buckley cough drops. Is it possible that the cold medication is causing the water retention?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms seem to be related to increased fluid retention.

I don't think that your symptoms are related to the cold medication that you have been taking.

Heart failure could mimic all this symptomatology. Other possible causes would be: liver or renal disease, electrolyte imbalance, diabetes, etc..

Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with your doctor for a physical exam and some tests:

- a chest X ray study
- a cardiac ultrasound to examine your heart function and structure
- complete blood count for anemia
- fasting glucose
- kidney and liver function tests
- blood electrolytes.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

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