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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Treat Chronic Cough?

I'm a 31 year old diabetic (5'9" 180lbs.) who has had a chronic cough for about 13 years now. Last for 11 straight months. Normally get a break in Last September, early October. I have lack energy and lose my breath quite often. If I play a sport such as basketball or football with my friends. Now most of my friends are my age, height, about 40-80lbs heavier and smoke (which I do not) and yet they can last longer than me. I also experience a discomfort, not pain under my left lower rib (feels as if you were to hold your stomach in for too long.). These syptoms have been for 5 or more years. Newer ones include a headache which doesn't really act like a headach. Forehead is a little warmer than usual and feeling some minor pressure, but light nor loud noises bother it. Also, lately have had a loss of appetite, but that normally last for a month and then I can eat normal for a while until it returns. Summer time is torture because temperature above 75 degrees cause me to sweat like a 400lb man. Winters are great, and never wear a coat...and I work outside. I've been told to exercise more, which I had at one point, 10 hours a week at a gym for 9 months and looked like I was in great shape, but symptoms never went away and always had trouble with cardio workouts. At different times my lungs were x-rayed, had a ct scan, ultra-sound (contrast) on my I believe my kidneys. I had blood in my urine, but it eventually was ruled from a calcium build-up. Any ideas? Or do I have to accept the answer that I'm diabetic and these things happen?
Mon, 4 Jul 2016
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Pulmonologist 's  Response
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
You are having chronic cough and breathing difficulty which is improving for 1 particular month (September).
So possibility of allergy related asthma or bronchitis is more.
For the diagnosis of these diseases, PFT (pulmonary function test) is must.
So in my opinion, you should definitely consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system.
2. PFT.
PFT will not only diagnose bronchitis or asthma but it will also tell you about severity of the disease.
And treatment is based on severity only.
You might need inhaled bronchodilator (formoterol or salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone).
Don't worry, you will be alright.
I don't think it is due to diabetes. Consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
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How To Treat Chronic Cough?

Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. You are having chronic cough and breathing difficulty which is improving for 1 particular month (September). So possibility of allergy related asthma or bronchitis is more. For the diagnosis of these diseases, PFT (pulmonary function test) is must. So in my opinion, you should definitely consult pulmonologist and get done 1. Clinical examination of respiratory system. 2. PFT. PFT will not only diagnose bronchitis or asthma but it will also tell you about severity of the disease. And treatment is based on severity only. You might need inhaled bronchodilator (formoterol or salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone). Don t worry, you will be alright. I don t think it is due to diabetes. Consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.