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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough With Chest Congestion

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Posted on Mon, 23 Nov 2015
Question: Hello, I caught a "cold" in the first week of September. Chest congestion and coughing with no production or very little. Cannot cough up a sample to see what it looks like. Coughed so much I had to wrap my ribs.
Went to Urgent care facility (in October) and was prescribed a z-pac which has never worked in the past. Told ribs were sore due to continuous coughing. If the z-pac didnt cure it then it was viral and it would have to go away on itsown? It ins now November, coughing has eased, ribs are better but cannot sleep on my side yet. I still have congestion in the chest especially in the a.m. and random coughing spells. Some days I have no symptoms at all. Recently I tried to purposely cough (multiple times) to try to expell the congestion
and it seemed my lungs became "clouded/fogged" with congestion so bad and I could not catch a full breath. That symptom disappeard after about 1/2 hour and was back to the normal congested state. I had possible exposure to mold due to a basement flood but have lived in the house for the last 14 yrs without any issues. We have performed mold tests w/o any concerning indications. Thank you for any advise or information you may provide.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It can be most likely due to allergy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM.

I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely due to allergy. It can be dust or some unknown allergens. Cold air , dust and molds are usual allergens for many.

Inhaled corticosteroids and beta 2 agonist will be helpful for this. I usually suggest inhalers with combination of beta 2 agonist like formeterol and corticosteroid like budesonide for such condition. Once the acute episode has subsided taking antihistamines like levocetirizine and mast cell stabilizers like monteleukast for long term as prophylatic measure will be helpful to prevent further attacks.

A chest x ray and spirometry test will be helpful to rule out the condition. A consultation with a chest physician is well appreciated.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Nishad BN

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 5482 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough With Chest Congestion

Brief Answer: It can be most likely due to allergy. Detailed Answer: Hi Thank you for asking HCM. I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely due to allergy. It can be dust or some unknown allergens. Cold air , dust and molds are usual allergens for many. Inhaled corticosteroids and beta 2 agonist will be helpful for this. I usually suggest inhalers with combination of beta 2 agonist like formeterol and corticosteroid like budesonide for such condition. Once the acute episode has subsided taking antihistamines like levocetirizine and mast cell stabilizers like monteleukast for long term as prophylatic measure will be helpful to prevent further attacks. A chest x ray and spirometry test will be helpful to rule out the condition. A consultation with a chest physician is well appreciated. Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear. Thanks.