HomeAnswersGeneral PractitionerbronchitisI experience chest congestion with heaviness and constant cough. Will smoking be the reason?

Can smoking cause chest congestion and productive cough?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vinodhini J.

Published At February 7, 2020
Reviewed AtJuly 5, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have chest congestion with heaviness in chest. I also have a constant cough with sputum. I am not taking any medication at present for this. Could this be due to smoking?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your cough and chest congestion is probably due to bronchitis (smoking can be the underlying reason however, at the moment you are experiencing a phase of exacerbation due to infection or an allergic reaction). I would like to know about the onset of your symptoms and how long you have been experiencing these productive coughs and chest pain? Nonetheless, CXR (chest x-ray) is the necessary step before prescribing appropriate medications. Your probable diagnosis is bronchitis (likely an allergic one). I recommend using a nasal corticosteroid to subside the symptoms such as Mometazone or Beclomethasone. You will also benefit from using antibiotics such as Azithromycin. Macrolides such as Azithromycin are not only anti-microbial agents but have some anti-inflammatory effects that are quite impressive in bronchitis. Gargling warm saline along with installing a humidifier in your room will be of great importance. Also, a PPD (purified protein derivative) test is always recommended as a primary tool to screen tuberculosis in patients with chronic cough. Do not freak out about it but it is worth the visit since prevention is always far better than treating a late-stage infectious disease. Thank you and take care.

The Probable causes

The probable causes are allergy and infection.

Investigations to be done

Investigations to be done are PPD (purified protein derivative), Sputum test, and CXR (chest x-ray).

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis is Infectious bronchitis, Allergic bronchitis, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and Tuberculosis. Pneumonia.

Probable diagnosis

The probable diagnosis is Bronchitis.

Treatment plan

The treatment plan is Beclomethasone nasal spray, Azithromycin 1 g on the first day, then 500 mg for five days, Theophylline-G suspension, one table spoon every night.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Noushin Payravi
Dr. Noushin Payravi

Family Physician

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