Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough Along With Wheezing
Question: Hi - A couple weeks ago, what I thought was a minor cold developed into a cough with some wheezing. A doctor told me on 10/24 I had bronchitis. It has been about 3 weeks total since the day I started getting cold symptoms. I am feeling a bit better, but the cough is still there now and then, and every so often I hear wheezing on deep breaths. I am also still congested a bit in my nose. Is it normal to have symptoms this long? I am a 32/F.
Brief Answer:
It may take this long...
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
The respiratory tract inflamation and infection can take so long as the healing of the mucosa of the respiratory tract can take so long. It is exposed to the air with its bacteria, allergens every time you breath in.
The wheezing can be due to contracted airways or narrowing due to accumulated mucus, the coughing being the response to the mucus, the allergens dust and all in the air breathed in. This is body's natural response to take the so-called foreign bodies out of the respiratory system by coughing out. So it is continued till the mucosal lining is healed and stops producing extra secretions.
These are the probable reasons for having symptoms for so long. The nasal mucosal lining being a part of the respiratory system too will take that much long for healing, so you are having nasal congestion.
I would like to add a few more things to the treatment you are already taking fr an early recovery:
Take therapeutic dose of Vitamin A and D and continue as multivitamins, they help in early healing and good mucosal lining.
Steam Inhalations with plain water helps release of the mucus, making it easy to be expectorated.
Avoid all types of scents, fumes, smokes and air pollutants which act as allergens to the already ailing mucosal lining.
Avoid sudden temperature changes.
I hope this answer helps you to have an early and better recovery.
Please feel free to ask for more if you need to.
It may take this long...
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
The respiratory tract inflamation and infection can take so long as the healing of the mucosa of the respiratory tract can take so long. It is exposed to the air with its bacteria, allergens every time you breath in.
The wheezing can be due to contracted airways or narrowing due to accumulated mucus, the coughing being the response to the mucus, the allergens dust and all in the air breathed in. This is body's natural response to take the so-called foreign bodies out of the respiratory system by coughing out. So it is continued till the mucosal lining is healed and stops producing extra secretions.
These are the probable reasons for having symptoms for so long. The nasal mucosal lining being a part of the respiratory system too will take that much long for healing, so you are having nasal congestion.
I would like to add a few more things to the treatment you are already taking fr an early recovery:
Take therapeutic dose of Vitamin A and D and continue as multivitamins, they help in early healing and good mucosal lining.
Steam Inhalations with plain water helps release of the mucus, making it easy to be expectorated.
Avoid all types of scents, fumes, smokes and air pollutants which act as allergens to the already ailing mucosal lining.
Avoid sudden temperature changes.
I hope this answer helps you to have an early and better recovery.
Please feel free to ask for more if you need to.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Today I have not coughed at all and am feeling much better. My nose is still a little congested, and I am still wheezing every so often.
Could the wheezing continue even after the infection clears up?
Could the wheezing continue even after the infection clears up?
Brief Answer:
not after infection clears up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your feedback.
It is good that today there is no cough at all, you are feeling better, nose congestion looks reduced.
Wheezing should not continue after the infection clears up. Albuterol inhaler should have helped you, take 2 puffs 4 to 6 hourly interval, take steam inhalations.
Auscultation by a Physician can diagnose whether the wheezing is due to asthma-like problem secondary to infection or allergic in nature. Continue the treatment and see if this helps for wheezing in a few days.
not after infection clears up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your feedback.
It is good that today there is no cough at all, you are feeling better, nose congestion looks reduced.
Wheezing should not continue after the infection clears up. Albuterol inhaler should have helped you, take 2 puffs 4 to 6 hourly interval, take steam inhalations.
Auscultation by a Physician can diagnose whether the wheezing is due to asthma-like problem secondary to infection or allergic in nature. Continue the treatment and see if this helps for wheezing in a few days.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I had asthma when I was young and it has been over 10 years since I've experienced asthma. Could the asthma come back? If the doctor say it's asthma-like problem, is this permanent? Could bronchitis cause this?
I do not smoke. I do have allergies. The wheezing has improved, but it is still there.
I do not smoke. I do have allergies. The wheezing has improved, but it is still there.
Brief Answer:
Not permanent
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Your past history of asthma is a strong point to consider this wheezing as asthma or asthma-like.
Asthma can come back if the conditions which caused asthma prevail. Once you came out of this proves that wheezing may not be permanent for you. Bronchitis can be concurrent or a precursor to asthma meaning can co-exist.
If this is asthma, Albuterol should have helped you completely. I hope all the symptoms will be abated simultaneously.
Can you please have a clinical / physical examination with a Physician to clear the matter and reduce the botheration of whether this is asthma or just a concurrent problem of respiratory tract problem.
In the meantime take care not to get exposed to the allergens as I have already mentioned, to keep away from people who have flu like symptoms, away from fumes, scents and such things you know cause more problems.
I hope this helps you, please do not worry as stress and anxiety do increase the respiratory problem that you have, Just relax, you will be fine.
Not permanent
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Your past history of asthma is a strong point to consider this wheezing as asthma or asthma-like.
Asthma can come back if the conditions which caused asthma prevail. Once you came out of this proves that wheezing may not be permanent for you. Bronchitis can be concurrent or a precursor to asthma meaning can co-exist.
If this is asthma, Albuterol should have helped you completely. I hope all the symptoms will be abated simultaneously.
Can you please have a clinical / physical examination with a Physician to clear the matter and reduce the botheration of whether this is asthma or just a concurrent problem of respiratory tract problem.
In the meantime take care not to get exposed to the allergens as I have already mentioned, to keep away from people who have flu like symptoms, away from fumes, scents and such things you know cause more problems.
I hope this helps you, please do not worry as stress and anxiety do increase the respiratory problem that you have, Just relax, you will be fine.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
