Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Chronic Cough And Stuffy Head?
Question: My husband has had a cough and stuffed up head for about 5 years. His doctor has done scans and tests here in The Pas and can't find what is causing it. We thought maybe alergies but he never gets a break from it. He is getting weaker all the time. He is 70 years old.
Brief Answer:
Looks to be irritational cough
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and information.
When was the T3, T4 and TSH tested?
What is the dose of Synthroid is He taking?
It is great to know that he is still so much active and doing work as you noted.
Is it possible by virtue of age he has never left the home and the surroundings you are living in ?
Is the part of your house damp?
Do you have pets?
Old carpets?
Flowering garden?
Smoker? Scented articles in use?
Sorry to ask you so many questions. These are the few of the most probable reason to have cough for 5 years.
The chronic cough will directly affect the mucosal lining of the nose and sinuses, blocking the openings of the sinuses in the nose. Either there can be stuffy head due to pent up secretions in the sinuses or the part of the air in the sinuses is absorbed by the body to give vacuum in sinuses.
Both the things cause stuffy head and are not visualized in the Scans and so easily missed. Scan give only an idea and is never a full diagnosis.
Try nasal decongestant drops/sprays and give plain water steam inhalations after 5 minutes and see the results.
I hope your Doctor has declared this is not an asthma/ bronchitis or so. A 3 week course of a steroid under the guidance and prescription of your Doctor- in a reducing dose can be of diagnostic as well as therapeutic value. Synthroid doses to be adjusted according to the fresh Thyroid function tests.
I hope this information helps you and your Husband a lot.
With regards ...
Looks to be irritational cough
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and information.
When was the T3, T4 and TSH tested?
What is the dose of Synthroid is He taking?
It is great to know that he is still so much active and doing work as you noted.
Is it possible by virtue of age he has never left the home and the surroundings you are living in ?
Is the part of your house damp?
Do you have pets?
Old carpets?
Flowering garden?
Smoker? Scented articles in use?
Sorry to ask you so many questions. These are the few of the most probable reason to have cough for 5 years.
The chronic cough will directly affect the mucosal lining of the nose and sinuses, blocking the openings of the sinuses in the nose. Either there can be stuffy head due to pent up secretions in the sinuses or the part of the air in the sinuses is absorbed by the body to give vacuum in sinuses.
Both the things cause stuffy head and are not visualized in the Scans and so easily missed. Scan give only an idea and is never a full diagnosis.
Try nasal decongestant drops/sprays and give plain water steam inhalations after 5 minutes and see the results.
I hope your Doctor has declared this is not an asthma/ bronchitis or so. A 3 week course of a steroid under the guidance and prescription of your Doctor- in a reducing dose can be of diagnostic as well as therapeutic value. Synthroid doses to be adjusted according to the fresh Thyroid function tests.
I hope this information helps you and your Husband a lot.
With regards ...
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
