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What Could Cause Coughing Episodes Which Last For Days And Are Recurrent At Least Twice A Month?
Question: My son is 4.5 years old. last year he was diagnosed with mild asthma. He is on Levolin inhaler on SOS basis. Had several episodes since last one year. Most in the winter times. From January 2018 he is on Budecort 200mcg inhaler twice a day 1 puff. my question is even after being on the steroid, he still gets a cough episode which lasts more than a week, at the interval of every 15 days. so basically twice in a month he gets a coughing episode. I starts with dry cough at night, slowly aggravating to day time dry cough, mild cold and then phlegm/wet cough for few days. what could be the reason for the same?
1: Is the steroid dosage less? I mean does he need more of it ?
2: His triggers are Dust mites and citrus fruits(Allergy skin prick test results). We are trying our best to keep away from him. Could it be that he comes in contact somehow?
3: Or does the steroid take more time to work or show results ? Like a few months?
Kindly help, as in how to reduce the number of episodes.
We have relocated to a new city last week, hoping to see good results in his health.As the humidity levels and pollution levels are lower here in this city.
1: Is the steroid dosage less? I mean does he need more of it ?
2: His triggers are Dust mites and citrus fruits(Allergy skin prick test results). We are trying our best to keep away from him. Could it be that he comes in contact somehow?
3: Or does the steroid take more time to work or show results ? Like a few months?
Kindly help, as in how to reduce the number of episodes.
We have relocated to a new city last week, hoping to see good results in his health.As the humidity levels and pollution levels are lower here in this city.
Brief Answer:
Better to get done PFT.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, his asthma is mostly uncontrolled which is causing recurrent worsening (coughing) in asthma.
So better to get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
PFT will tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only.
He might need additional longer acting inhaled bronchodilators (formoterol or salmeterol) in combination with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone).
If PFT is normal then possibility of allergen (dust mite or citrus fruits) triggering is more likely.
Change of surroundings will also help him.
So better to first get done PFT.
Addition of formoterol or salmeterol will mostly subside his coughing.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
Better to get done PFT.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, his asthma is mostly uncontrolled which is causing recurrent worsening (coughing) in asthma.
So better to get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
PFT will tell you about severity of the disease and treatment is based on severity only.
He might need additional longer acting inhaled bronchodilators (formoterol or salmeterol) in combination with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone).
If PFT is normal then possibility of allergen (dust mite or citrus fruits) triggering is more likely.
Change of surroundings will also help him.
So better to first get done PFT.
Addition of formoterol or salmeterol will mostly subside his coughing.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Where can I get the PFT done ? And do they do a PFT for kids below 5? I heard they don’t do below for kids below 5 years of age
Brief Answer:
It is difficult to perform PFT for less than 5 years old.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can understand your concern.
Yes, you are right.
It is difficult to perform PFT for less than 5 years old child.
But dedicated PFT centers have pediatric PFT machine.
Better to consult pediatrician who have specialization in pediatric asthma.
If PFT is not possible then better to start combination of formoterol or salmeterol and fluticasone or budesonide.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
It is difficult to perform PFT for less than 5 years old.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I can understand your concern.
Yes, you are right.
It is difficult to perform PFT for less than 5 years old child.
But dedicated PFT centers have pediatric PFT machine.
Better to consult pediatrician who have specialization in pediatric asthma.
If PFT is not possible then better to start combination of formoterol or salmeterol and fluticasone or budesonide.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thanks a lot doctor for you detailed answer. I still have a question in mind. He was kept on Seroflo 50mcg before starting with Budecort , So can we continue the same and stop budecort or a higher dose of Seroflo is required?
As far as I understand seroflo has Salmetrol and Fluticasone.
Also for the time being I am managing with Levolin 2 puffs 3 times a day. Should that be able to substitute Seroflo.?
As far as I understand seroflo has Salmetrol and Fluticasone.
Also for the time being I am managing with Levolin 2 puffs 3 times a day. Should that be able to substitute Seroflo.?
Brief Answer:
Yes, Seroflo is better than Budecort plain.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question,
I can understand your concern.
I am glad that my advice is helping you.
Yes, you are right.
Seroflo is having Salmeterol and Fluticasone.
It is better than budesonide plain.
So you can definitely give Seroflo to him.
Levolin is having levosalbutamol.
It will not substitute Seroflo.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Yes, Seroflo is better than Budecort plain.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question,
I can understand your concern.
I am glad that my advice is helping you.
Yes, you are right.
Seroflo is having Salmeterol and Fluticasone.
It is better than budesonide plain.
So you can definitely give Seroflo to him.
Levolin is having levosalbutamol.
It will not substitute Seroflo.
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. Arnab Banerjee
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