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What Causes Persistent Hacking Cough?

Posted on Fri, 15 Jul 2016

Question: my partner and I have had A hacking cough for a month now. Saw a md twice. 1st time he prescribe amoxicillin k clavulanate plus pednesone for 1 week. No avail, and a chest xray. Chest xray came out clear. he wants to schedule me for a cat scan next week. I made an appointment for a pulminologist August 10. So what is this hacking cough that won't go away? Local remedies XXXXXXX selzer plus cold & cough suppress symtoms for a little while, but cough doesn't go away. What gives, Doc??? Please help. What is possible diagnosis? XXX from Maine

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Get done PFT to rule out bronchitis.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
By your history and description, we should first rule out bronchitis (inflammation of airways) in your case because bronchitis is common after viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
Bronchitis can cause continuous coughing which is not improving with routine cough medicines.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done clinical examination of respiratory system and PFT (pulmonary function test).
PFT will not only diagnose bronchitis but it will also tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only.
You may need inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).
Don't worry, you will be alright with all these.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health . Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (24 minutes later)

I forgot to tell you initially on the question that I posed earlier that I was prescribed and then healer and it did absolutely no good. I've had bronchitis before but it went away after a couple of weeks . This is a hacking cough that has some wheezing. My pulmonary specialist is August 10. That is a long time away from now. The coughing has made my body sore from so much coughing. And your answer you said you were ruling out bronchitis? Also what will a CAT scan show that a chest x-ray did not? Thank you Doctor for your answers you are most kind. This cough is aggressive come are relentless, and very scary. My partner has the same thing we both have for one month. Could this be lung cancer? Don from Maine

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I am thinking of bronchitis at present.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I have not excluded bronchitis, infact I am thinking of bronchitis in your case.
Continuous coughing and wheezing are common symptoms of bronchitis.
And best treatment for bronchitis is inhaled treatment.
So please let me know
1. During your last bronchitis episode what have you taken? I mean which drugs? Have you taken any inhaler?
2. Can you send me image of your chest x ray? CT scan is needed to look for any undefined spot on chest x ray. So to comment further, image of chest x ray will be of great help.
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar