May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Coughs Recurrent Cough with Phlegm
Recurrent Cough with Phlegm |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: Hello, thank you for taking the time to read and respond. i regularly catch chest colds from my kids. when i get a chest cold it stays for 2-4 months, yes months. the worst part is over in a couple of weeks but the congestion hangs around endlessly. i've been to the doctor and spent hundreds on x-rays that were negative and inconclusive to the problem. i am active, healthy and don't smoke. i sing in a band and the congestion reduces my range and breathing capacity. i've been on muscinex for 2 months now and the phlegm just keeps coming up. i've gotten 101 sore throat remedies but nothing to eliminate chest fluids. any ideas? cliff Dear Cliff: I do understand your concern about recurrent chest infections. There could be several reasons for your symptoms. In my opinion your chronic and recurrent cough could be due to the following : i) Asthma : Recurrent chest infections, episodes of cough, wheeze, breathlessness triggered by exposure to aero-allergens, pets and dust/pollen could be indicative of asthma. Though cough productive of purulent sputum is not a feature of asthma. ii) Chronic suppurative lung disease or bronchiectasis which is defined as permanent abnormal widening in one or more of the airways with mucus formation. The causes of bronchiectasis include severe lung infections such as tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia, immune deficiency and pulmonary manifestation of inflammatory diseases like ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease and systemic lupus erythematosus.Further investigations like a complete blood count, allergic tests, pulmonary function tests and CT chest may be required for diagnosis. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 13 January 2012 ) |
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