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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Chronic Cough At Night While Suffering From Pneumonia?

I have been coughing, especially at night, and coughing up phlegm. Last April, I was diagnosed with pneumonia with a possibility of emphysema and/or components of COPD. In November 2016, I visited the Mayo Clinic and met with a pulmonary doctor who said the x-rays I had brought with me indicated that my lungs were clear and that I never had pneumonia and that there were no signs of emphysema or COPD. A couple of months ago, I wound up in the ER with difficulty breathing. Again, the x-rays came back clear. The doctor prescribed a home nebulizer and an inhalation solution of Ipratroium Bromide (.5 mg) and Albuterol Sulfate (3 mg). In the last week, I have used the nebulizer almost every night to curb the cough and phlegm production. As an aside, I have not smoked for about twenty years, am 61 years old, female, average weight, and pretty good health. I was diagnosed with acid reflux a few years ago so I quit coffee, soda and caffeine completely, changed my eating habits going more organic, little to no processed foods. I decided to forego Omeprazole and instead take a digestive enzyme with each meal. I have high cholesterol and about three years ago I traded my statin in for CardioAuxin (a niacin supplement). Other medications/supplements I currently take are Vitamin D, a multi-vitamin, Triamterene HCTZ (hypertensive) and a garlic pill. My job as a financial advisor is high-stress and I have not had an exercise regimen for several years now. I am torn. Do I quit taking my supplements and see if my breathing improves? Do I go back in to see a Pulmonary Specialist ASAP? It does seem that that nebulizer helps and now I may be able to lay down and go to sleep finally. I want to get to the bottom of this and don't have a primary care physician any more. She went into teaching at a hospital and all I seem to get now are PAs who don't seem to have the time to be thorough. What do I do?
Wed, 5 Apr 2017
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Ayurveda Specialist 's  Response
**
The symptoms which you have mentioned corresponds to chronic upper airway syndrome and most common causes which one has to exclude is/are:
- postnasal drip,
- asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) [positive history]
- chronic bronchitis, a
- and treatment with ACE inhibitors, used for high blood pressure. [triametrene do cause chronic cough] so talk with your doctor for other alternative

- If there is no response to conventional treatment then consult a Medicine Specialist since the choice of antibiotic will vary from doctor to doctor, and from locality to locality.

. Instructions to be followed are:
. Steam water inhalations 2-3 times/day. Add to water Tincture benzoin,vicks
. Warm salt water gargles
. Take hot drinks like tea,soup,milk,coffee 5-6 times/day
. Instruct to cover the mouth while coughing (using hand or handkerchief) to prevent spread of infection to other members.

4. If infection is not controlled or there is no response, ask for investigations:
. Hb%, WBC for eosinophilia
. X-ray chest for TB, pneumonia


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What Causes Chronic Cough At Night While Suffering From Pneumonia?

** The symptoms which you have mentioned corresponds to chronic upper airway syndrome and most common causes which one has to exclude is/are: - postnasal drip, - asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) [positive history] - chronic bronchitis, a - and treatment with ACE inhibitors, used for high blood pressure. [triametrene do cause chronic cough] so talk with your doctor for other alternative - If there is no response to conventional treatment then consult a Medicine Specialist since the choice of antibiotic will vary from doctor to doctor, and from locality to locality. . Instructions to be followed are: . Steam water inhalations 2-3 times/day. Add to water Tincture benzoin,vicks . Warm salt water gargles . Take hot drinks like tea,soup,milk,coffee 5-6 times/day . Instruct to cover the mouth while coughing (using hand or handkerchief) to prevent spread of infection to other members. 4. If infection is not controlled or there is no response, ask for investigations: . Hb%, WBC for eosinophilia . X-ray chest for TB, pneumonia