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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Cough And Headaches
Question: I've been experiencing a cough for over 2 years now along with constant headaches for roughly 3-4 years, both without a seeming cause for it. But I've now been getting lightheaded along side this as well as frequent nausea spells. I have coughed up black mucus twice (I smoke. Which I'm aware can cause this) which I haven't experienced before until the last couple of weeks. My sleeping pattern is also crazily messed up and has been for over a year now. I've turned nocturnal with my sleeping pattern, up all night, asleep a good portion of the day. I have been to the doctors for my cough, they have taken an x-ray and taken a look down my throat, both of which came back clear. But I'm still worried after having this persistent cough for so long. I am on Citalopram, but have only been on it just over 3 weeks. Please help me.
Brief Answer:
Better to get done CT thorax.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should get done CT thorax first.
Since you are smoker and having constant cough with black phlegm, possibility of lung disease is more.
Sometimes chest x ray is not diagnostic.
So better to get done CT thorax and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
CT thorax will be helpful in diagnosis of lung parenchymal disease.
PFT will helpful in diagnosis of bronchitis.
If both are normal than no need to worry for lung disease.
Better to quit smoking as soon as possible because it is not good habit.
After smoking cessation your cough will mostly subside.
And for sleeping disturbance you need to consult psychiatrist and get done counseling sessions.
Along with drugs, counseling is effective in sleep disturbance.
Please let me know
1. Are you having stressful life?
2. What are your height and weight? I am asking this because I want to rule out sleep apnea as this can also cause similar symptoms.
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.
Better to get done CT thorax.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should get done CT thorax first.
Since you are smoker and having constant cough with black phlegm, possibility of lung disease is more.
Sometimes chest x ray is not diagnostic.
So better to get done CT thorax and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
CT thorax will be helpful in diagnosis of lung parenchymal disease.
PFT will helpful in diagnosis of bronchitis.
If both are normal than no need to worry for lung disease.
Better to quit smoking as soon as possible because it is not good habit.
After smoking cessation your cough will mostly subside.
And for sleeping disturbance you need to consult psychiatrist and get done counseling sessions.
Along with drugs, counseling is effective in sleep disturbance.
Please let me know
1. Are you having stressful life?
2. What are your height and weight? I am asking this because I want to rule out sleep apnea as this can also cause similar symptoms.
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. Sonia Raina
I was under stress recently, but it seems to have died down but my sleeping still seems to be reversed from what it should be.
And I'm 1.66 metres and weigh just over 11 stone.
And I'm 1.66 metres and weigh just over 11 stone.
Brief Answer:
Please reply your weight in kilograms.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I don't know the unit stone fir weight.
Standard unit for weight is kilogram.
So please reply me your weight in kilograms so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Please reply your weight in kilograms.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
I don't know the unit stone fir weight.
Standard unit for weight is kilogram.
So please reply me your weight in kilograms 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
I have just converted it into kilograms and I'm roughly 71 kilograms.
Brief Answer:
Quit smoking as soon as possible.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Your BMI (body mass index) is 25.76. So you are slightly overweight. And hence no need to worry for sleep apnea.
Stress can be the cause for your sleep disturbance.
Smoking is likely cause for your cough and black phlegm.
So smoking cessation should be done as soon as possible.
Please let me know
1. How many cigarettes you smoke daily?
2. Since how many years you are smoking?
3. Are you smoking due to stress?
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.
Quit smoking as soon as possible.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Your BMI (body mass index) is 25.76. So you are slightly overweight. And hence no need to worry for sleep apnea.
Stress can be the cause for your sleep disturbance.
Smoking is likely cause for your cough and black phlegm.
So smoking cessation should be done as soon as possible.
Please let me know
1. How many cigarettes you smoke daily?
2. Since how many years you are smoking?
3. Are you smoking due to stress?
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.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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