Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
This is regarding my mother, who is 70 years old. She does not have high blood pressure or diabetes. For the last three months, she has been experiencing a dry cough with white phlegm. There is no fever, throat pain, or difficulty swallowing. She does not have any breathing difficulties, and her oxygen saturation levels range from 97 to 100 percent. I have taken her to two different doctors in the last three months, and attached are the medicine prescriptions given by them. However, the cough has not completely subsided, and it tends to be more pronounced in the morning after she wakes up. There is no wheezing sound when she sleeps at night. Her comprehensive check-up is scheduled for next week.
Please guide whether another course of antibiotics should be pursued.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I have read your query, and I can understand your concern.
Based on your history and description, the possibility of either bronchitis or an underlying lung disease is more likely. Therefore, it is recommended to undergo a CT (computed tomography) scan of the lungs and a pulmonary function test (PFT) for a comprehensive diagnosis. A CT scan is necessary to rule out lung infections, lung fibrosis, etc. The PFT is required to assess and rule out bronchitis.
I hope your queries are resolved, and any further queries are welcome.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor for the reply,
What is the course of treatment after these tests are completed? Can all the issues you mentioned be treated with medications and home care, or will hospitalization be necessary?
Please advise on the same.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I can understand your concern.
If there is an infection, she will need bronchoscopy and BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) analysis to rule out infection. If the pulmonary function test (PFT) is abnormal, she will need inhaled bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, along with oral bronchodilators. Therefore, further course of action can be decided only based on the reports.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wishing her good health. Thank you.
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Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)
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