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What Causes Persistent Cough Even With Antibiotics Usage?

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Posted on Wed, 25 Jun 2014
Question: My husband has been give yet another anti biotic
for a cough that has persisted for well over over 3month so severe in the mornings that he regurgitates his breakfast. Phlegm is clear. He currently uses ventolin through a spacer, and sere tide 500 accuhaler. He went to another doctor yesterday and has demanded a chest X-ray and was prescribed doxycycline 100mg x one daily. I am querying this latest prescription as it is not in the diagnostic frame for chest conditions

Your opinion would be greatly apreciated

XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
GERD

Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney.
I understand your concern.
I feel his cough is due to Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and not due to chest conditions.
To give you a better answer I would like to know following details:
1. Cough is dry or with expectoration?
2. Any Fever?
3. Any wheezing associated?
4. Any weight loss?
5. Any other medications in case he is taking chronically?

Provide me with these details for a better help.
Stay Healthy.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (10 hours later)
Cough always results in a spitting of phlegm. Mornings are worse where the cough is followed by a strong desire to clear phlegm from his throat resulting in the gag reflex. Cough persists all day and as mentioned for over 3 months No fever no weight loss but wheezing yes. He takes medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol plus the aforementioned medications prescribed. All blood tests have revealed nothing except an iron deficiency. He is having a colonoscopy in 3 weeks to check for polyps and to deal with some hemmaroids.
He does not cough during the night but it starts immediately upon rising
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detail Follows

Detailed Answer:
Dear Friend.
If he gets coughing even in night and is associated with expectoration, this would require evaluation.
Also, i wanted to know if he is taking any blood pressure medicine like Enalapril, Ramipril. Because these medications also cause coughing.
Breathlessness and Coughing in night can be an indication towards a cardiac disease.
I would advise you following:
1. ECG
2. ECHO
3. Sputum For AFB
4. To tell me all medications he is taking
5. Xray Chest
6. If he is a smoker, he should stop it immediately.

Morning coughs are usually found in Smokers and GERD.
Night Coughs suggest respiratory infection or cardiac disease.

This is the reason i want him to get evaluated.
If you have any further query, please ask me.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3071 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Cough Even With Antibiotics Usage?

Brief Answer: GERD Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern. I feel his cough is due to Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and not due to chest conditions. To give you a better answer I would like to know following details: 1. Cough is dry or with expectoration? 2. Any Fever? 3. Any wheezing associated? 4. Any weight loss? 5. Any other medications in case he is taking chronically? Provide me with these details for a better help. Stay Healthy.