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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Coughing In A Older People?

Hi I have an 88 year old grandmother who is fairly healthy and has no record of smoking and called me told me she has just started to have a coughing fit again (this had occurred four times in these past few months) and said she had coughed a salty taste but didn t specify if it was phlegm or any other bodily fluid should i be worried that it may be a bronchial problem?
Tue, 25 Nov 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello
Since the patient is 88 years old and otherwise healthy and fit . There was a coughing fit and she expelled phlegm or other salty fluid .
So if this is phlegm then it is from the lungs and may be due to allergic bronchitis because some times allergic bronchitis also produces expectoration or phlegm.
But if this is any other salty fluid then it may be due to gastric aspiration with bouts of cough .
I have seen in so many patient that due to severe bout of cough ,they vomits and this ( vomits ) is salty in taste ( because of hydrochloric acid together with mucus from stomach ) .
In my opinion at present this is not a cause of concern .
It may be due to hyper acidity ( very common due to indigestion ) or due to allergic bronchitis .
In both conditions consult a physician and get his opinion because physical examination is important .
Good luck.
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What Causes Severe Coughing In A Older People?

Hello Since the patient is 88 years old and otherwise healthy and fit . There was a coughing fit and she expelled phlegm or other salty fluid . So if this is phlegm then it is from the lungs and may be due to allergic bronchitis because some times allergic bronchitis also produces expectoration or phlegm. But if this is any other salty fluid then it may be due to gastric aspiration with bouts of cough . I have seen in so many patient that due to severe bout of cough ,they vomits and this ( vomits ) is salty in taste ( because of hydrochloric acid together with mucus from stomach ) . In my opinion at present this is not a cause of concern . It may be due to hyper acidity ( very common due to indigestion ) or due to allergic bronchitis . In both conditions consult a physician and get his opinion because physical examination is important . Good luck.