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Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough And Clearing Of Throat While Recovering From Severe Flu Symptoms

Posted on Wed, 10 Apr 2024

Question: Hello, I was just hit hard with the flu. I've been coughing a lot, hacking and clearing my throat as I try to fall asleep. Now for the past three nights, just as I'm falling asleep, my throat makes a little involuntary "hmmm" sound. It's very disruptive. I'm in otherwise good health, 45 years old, good blood pressure, just joined a gym last week, and I'm 6 feet tall and 175 lbs. Three nights, ago, I was clearing my throat about every 3 minutes as I lay there half asleep, could this have caused some sort of involuntary response that would last for days? Please tell me the cause, and prognosis of this problem. Will it self-resolve when my flu improves? I really hope so, as I normally sleep very well.
Thanks,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
you may have post viral bronchitis.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I can understand your situation and problem.
By your description and history, I think you are having post viral (flu) bronchitis.
The sound 'hmmm' on expiration may be due to spasm of bronchitis.
And night time coughing to clearing throat is also seen in bronchitis.
Post viral bronchitis is common. And no need to worry much as it will resolve by it's own.
And the feeling of clearing throat is also involuntary. It is actually cough reflex initiated by bronchitis. So don't be worried.

Based on my experience, let me assure you - all the symptoms will clear in a few weeks. If you feel the symptoms remain same in the next couple of weeks, perhaps you can consider consulting your doctor and starting treatment for bronchitis.

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. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 hours later)

Thanks for your guidance, I have 2 follow up questions:

1. I don't feel my throat twitching or anything when the hmmmm sound comes out - could the spasm just be that minor where it causes me to make that involuntary noise over and over as I try to fall asleep?

2. Would a muscle relaxant help reduce or eliminate this spasm, or is there something I can take to help it? It's proving very disruptive to my sleep.

Thanks again, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
muscle relaxant will not be helpful in this spasm.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Yes, spasm will be minor. If it is major then you must be having breathlessness and wheezing.
And routine muscle relaxant will not help in this muscle spasm. Tracheal muscles are involuntary muscles and routine muscle relaxant will not have any effect on it. You need bronchodilators to relieve muscle spasm.
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. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 hours later)

Hello again: I saw the doctor today and was prescribed a corticosteroid to help. I'm assuming that this will gradually dilate the airway, and will hopefully help with the spasms that I'm experiencing? My understanding is that it takes several days for this to take effect?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
steroids will be helpful in your condition.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
Yes, corticosteroid will be helpful in your condition.
It is actually having anti inflammatory action. So reduces airway edema and thus clear the spasm.
And yes, it will take atleast 1-2 week to reduce the spasm and improve the symptoms.

Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate the answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.my/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E