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What Causes Coughing And Choking Spells Post Open Heart Surgery?
My wife is 71. For the last 10 years she has suffered 2 heart attacks requiring 4 stints, a stroke that did cause loss of most mobility on her right side and lastly topped it off with open heart surgery. Lately she sleeps at least 12 hours per day. She has these coughing-chocking spells once in a while. These spells last anywhere between 5 minutes to an hour. Afterwards we have learned to wait a while before the trip to the ER. At times by the time she is called in the symptoms have disappeared. Oh yes she has type 1 diabetes before all the above happened. We are baby-boomers gone to be senior bb s. Is it just age or we ll accept another prognosis of which we have plenty. One more would be welcome. Thx...Jim
Thu, 12 May 2016
Hi Dear,
Welcome to HCM.
Understanding your concern. As per your query you have coughing and choking spells post open heart surgery which will cause accumulation of bacteria and other microorganisms in that area. Due to this accumulation chances of obstruction are there. it could be due to gastroesophageal reflux disease. The symptoms can also occur due to post surgery complication so also consult cardiologist for proper checkup . Do warm saline gargles. You should take small meals and avoid large meals. If condition doesn't get better in 2-3 days then consult ENT specialist for proper diagnosis and go for swab test. Go for sputum test as well if required and start treatment as per proper diagnosis. Sip warm water after every few minutes and eat 1-2 banana. Doctor may also examine with laryngoscope or endoscopy and may remove foreign particle with the help of surgery . Take mucolytic agent like ambroxol or decongestants. You should take steam inhalation as well. Do chlorhexidine mouth-rinse as well. Avoid hot, sharp , spicy food substances and carbonated beverages.
Hope your concern has been resolved.
Get Well Soon.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
Welcome to HCM.
Understanding your concern. As per your query you have coughing and choking spells post open heart surgery which will cause accumulation of bacteria and other microorganisms in that area. Due to this accumulation chances of obstruction are there. it could be due to gastroesophageal reflux disease. The symptoms can also occur due to post surgery complication so also consult cardiologist for proper checkup . Do warm saline gargles. You should take small meals and avoid large meals. If condition doesn't get better in 2-3 days then consult ENT specialist for proper diagnosis and go for swab test. Go for sputum test as well if required and start treatment as per proper diagnosis. Sip warm water after every few minutes and eat 1-2 banana. Doctor may also examine with laryngoscope or endoscopy and may remove foreign particle with the help of surgery . Take mucolytic agent like ambroxol or decongestants. You should take steam inhalation as well. Do chlorhexidine mouth-rinse as well. Avoid hot, sharp , spicy food substances and carbonated beverages.
Hope your concern has been resolved.
Get Well Soon.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
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