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What Causes Frequent Cough And Wheezing?
Question: My husband has an infrequent cough (non productive) that sounds wheezy. He had a chest xray that showed he is clear from COPD nor Asthma. Everything is showing clear. However, they ordered a breathing set of tests and it shows some entraptment in his lungs. They did not tell us what it might but but he is going to a Pulmonologist in two weeks. Should we be concerned that it might be Lung Cancer or if not, what other lung disease is a possibitly it might be? Also, since the apt is two weeks away until the appointment, is that a good sign?
Brief Answer:
As of now it appears to be asthma or COPD if he is a smoker.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
Thanks for posting your query on HCM.
First I would like to know if he has had this type of cough frequently in the past or is it a fresh development?, Does he have allergy like being uncomfortable in dust, smoke etc? Is he a smoker?
From your description as of now it appears to be asthma. The breathing test that you are talking about is PFT or spirometry and if it shows entrapment of air it could be asthma or COPD. Let me tell you that generally in asthma chest xray is normal and even in early stages of COPD chest xray may be normal. Diagnosis of these two conditions is generally based on clinical setting and on PFT.
Having said that, I would like to stress that any new cough and wheez should not be ignored esp in an elderly person and if he/she has been a smoker. Hence he must visit his pulmonologist and undergo a detail examinations.
If you are very anxious and if he is very symptomatic, you may reschedule your appointment to an earlier date otherwise two weeks is fine
I hope that answers your query.
As of now it appears to be asthma or COPD if he is a smoker.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
Thanks for posting your query on HCM.
First I would like to know if he has had this type of cough frequently in the past or is it a fresh development?, Does he have allergy like being uncomfortable in dust, smoke etc? Is he a smoker?
From your description as of now it appears to be asthma. The breathing test that you are talking about is PFT or spirometry and if it shows entrapment of air it could be asthma or COPD. Let me tell you that generally in asthma chest xray is normal and even in early stages of COPD chest xray may be normal. Diagnosis of these two conditions is generally based on clinical setting and on PFT.
Having said that, I would like to stress that any new cough and wheez should not be ignored esp in an elderly person and if he/she has been a smoker. Hence he must visit his pulmonologist and undergo a detail examinations.
If you are very anxious and if he is very symptomatic, you may reschedule your appointment to an earlier date otherwise two weeks is fine
I hope that answers your query.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Brief Answer:
I still feel that this could be allergic cough.
Detailed Answer:
In view of history of allergy and breathing test I still feel that he has allergic cough. There is a term called `cough variant asthma` where in a person has asthma but he has more cough than breathing difficulty.
Another possibility is reflux disease where excess gastric acid production can also cause cough and breathing difficulty.
I do hope he is not taking medicines for BP control as one group of BP medicines called ACE Inhibitors can cause cough.
However exact cause will be known when he consults his pulmonologist.
In the meanwhile I suggest he may take a tablet of telecast l and one of pantodac daily along with an inhaler aerocort 2 puffs twice a day.
I still feel that this could be allergic cough.
Detailed Answer:
In view of history of allergy and breathing test I still feel that he has allergic cough. There is a term called `cough variant asthma` where in a person has asthma but he has more cough than breathing difficulty.
Another possibility is reflux disease where excess gastric acid production can also cause cough and breathing difficulty.
I do hope he is not taking medicines for BP control as one group of BP medicines called ACE Inhibitors can cause cough.
However exact cause will be known when he consults his pulmonologist.
In the meanwhile I suggest he may take a tablet of telecast l and one of pantodac daily along with an inhaler aerocort 2 puffs twice a day.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
No more questions but I thank you very much for the information & your patience in answering and addressing the concerns. We will of course keep the Pulmonologist appointment to have the thorough examination done. Have a nice day and a pleasant week!
Brief Answer:
Thank you and take care.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you and take care.
Thank you and take care.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you and take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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