What Causes Bronchial Congestion With Wheezing?

Posted on Tue, 28 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 Answered on

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My mother aged 87 yrs old has been suffering from severe bronchial congestion with wheezing. her blood test for blood count was done and found to be normal with no infection of pneumonia or any other infection. She been on duolin and budecort nubuliser for the past 4 weeks given at an interval of 8hrs. she was administered Zempred 8mg for two days and Zempred 4mg for three days along with deriphyllin 150 R for 5 days (twice), pantocid 40mg and Montel LC one tab in the night. All these mentioned tabs have been administered and course completed. But there has been some relief only. she can hardly walk 8feet to the restroom when she gets into breathlessness and wheezing and has to rest for atleast 20mins. before getting back to the bed and again go thru the breathlessness, resulting her bedridden. Request you advice and help. Thanks, Regards,XXXX

Answered by Dr. Prakash H Muddegowda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Will take time to recover.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.

Based on clinical history and query, my opinion is as follows:

1. She is recovering from a severe respiratory distress episode.

2. Her lungs had severe inflammation which is under control. Still the lungs are recovering. She has also underwent a stressful period and mentally too it will take her time to recover to her normal self.

3. Continue the medications as prescribed. Other than that, she requires,

a. Graded exercises should be encouraged to improve endurance. Chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises with spirometer is beneficial. Deep breathing will be helpful.
b. She will have periods of fatigue. Caregivers need to pace periods of activity and rest.
c. Avoid any exposure to indoor or outdoor pollutants
d. Improve protein in diet. Check Hemoglobin levels, if its low, she will need additional Vit B12, Iron and folic acid.
e. She would take around 1-2 months to recover almost completely. Family support and patience is necessary.
f. If possible, a full time caretaker to support her and help her in her exercises is required.
g. Regular sleep and hygiene in this period is essential to avoid any further debilitating infection.
i. Avoid risk of falls, especially when she is moving around.

Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.

Dr. Prakash HM

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