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What Causes Persistent Dry Cough?
Have a terrible persistent cough, always a very dry cough with a rattling in my lungs. Cough so hard at times it gags me and see tracers in my eyes. Yes I am a smoker and have been attempting to stop. Have also been diagnosed with COPD! Was exposed to asbestos regularly in the earlier years while working in my trade and worried it could be mesothelioma. What is the most definitive test to determine if that could be the cause? Only have Medicare insurance!
Wed, 2 Aug 2023
Hi,
The primary impression of your symptoms is chronic bronchitis due to smoking and exposure to asbestos in past. Apart from routine management with anti allergic and bronchodilators, Mesothelioma needs to be investigated and confirmed / excluded by lung biopsy test (the site of biopsy to be decided by treating doctor. You have to consult a lung specialist doctor.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Vasudha Jayant Athavale, General & Family Physician
The primary impression of your symptoms is chronic bronchitis due to smoking and exposure to asbestos in past. Apart from routine management with anti allergic and bronchodilators, Mesothelioma needs to be investigated and confirmed / excluded by lung biopsy test (the site of biopsy to be decided by treating doctor. You have to consult a lung specialist doctor.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Vasudha Jayant Athavale, General & Family Physician
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