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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Choking And Wheezing In Elderly?

My mom is an amazingly healthy 103 yr old. This week she has had a choking kind of cough and wheezing in her chest (her doctor checked her lungs). I gave her a few more Albuterol, nebulizer treatments. She has had terrible pain on the left side of her head, near the top, (for a few days), but today it's on the left side of her head above her temple. What could be causing this pain?
Wed, 13 May 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

Thanks for writing.

I am Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin. I have read you question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.

First of health, wishing a very warm wishes for her health, and it is commendable having such health and having a legacy of a century spent with her loved ones.

As far as wheezing and choking is concerned, If she is getting symptomatic relief with Albuterol, its encouraging but it may not be the only thing needed as elderly have a tendency to develop pneumonia more frequently than young individuals, so detailed chest radiographs along with a complete blood picture might be needed if the symptoms persist.

Using Albuterol can trigger tachycardias (fast heart beats) and palpitations along with headaches though localized pain only at one side might not be attributed towards that.

It can be a migraine headache, if it is unilateral, but for that we need to evaluate any triggering or relieving factors. Also if there is no rash then possibility of nerve involvement like in herpes or any kind of vasculitis is ruled out. Presence of a sinus infection is also a possibility for which X-rays of para-nasal sinuses can be done. A detailed Ear examination to rule out any ear infection can also be a part of her management.

You can try using Analgesics after discussing with her GP. If symptoms persist than detailed radiological examination can also be run but hopefully it would be relieved spontaneously.

I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer. Otherwise rate and close the discussion

Regards,

Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin
M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)
Resident Medicine.
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What Causes Choking And Wheezing In Elderly?

Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic. Thanks for writing. I am Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin. I have read you question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible. First of health, wishing a very warm wishes for her health, and it is commendable having such health and having a legacy of a century spent with her loved ones. As far as wheezing and choking is concerned, If she is getting symptomatic relief with Albuterol, its encouraging but it may not be the only thing needed as elderly have a tendency to develop pneumonia more frequently than young individuals, so detailed chest radiographs along with a complete blood picture might be needed if the symptoms persist. Using Albuterol can trigger tachycardias (fast heart beats) and palpitations along with headaches though localized pain only at one side might not be attributed towards that. It can be a migraine headache, if it is unilateral, but for that we need to evaluate any triggering or relieving factors. Also if there is no rash then possibility of nerve involvement like in herpes or any kind of vasculitis is ruled out. Presence of a sinus infection is also a possibility for which X-rays of para-nasal sinuses can be done. A detailed Ear examination to rule out any ear infection can also be a part of her management. You can try using Analgesics after discussing with her GP. If symptoms persist than detailed radiological examination can also be run but hopefully it would be relieved spontaneously. I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer. Otherwise rate and close the discussion Regards, Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician) Resident Medicine.