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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough In An Elderly Person

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Posted on Fri, 27 Jan 2017
Question: I am a 71 year old male who has had a severe cough for 9 days with no sign of improvement. Cough is productive of phlegm which is vaguely yellow. I'm afraid to take cough medicine because have a severely enlarged prostate and great difficulty urinating. Wondering if there is anything I can safely take that might reduce severity/duration of coughing episodes that can be as long as two hours.
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Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Which cough medicines do you have with you?

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I will like to know the cough drugs you were considering. Though suppressing cough might be a good idea, I strongly do not encourage this as it results in accumulation of secretions which favor germs multiplication and infection. Dextromethorphan is a good cough suppressant. Though you might be concerned about urination difficulties, this only happens when you must have taken more than recommended. I will suggest that you take this, if you must take a drug to suppress this cough, something I really don't support.

I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough In An Elderly Person

Brief Answer: Which cough medicines do you have with you? Detailed Answer: Hi, I will like to know the cough drugs you were considering. Though suppressing cough might be a good idea, I strongly do not encourage this as it results in accumulation of secretions which favor germs multiplication and infection. Dextromethorphan is a good cough suppressant. Though you might be concerned about urination difficulties, this only happens when you must have taken more than recommended. I will suggest that you take this, if you must take a drug to suppress this cough, something I really don't support. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.