What are the causes of breathing problems and cough?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 24 year old female. I have been facing breathing problem for the past five days. The first time it happened for a few minutes after I had finished my dinner and after that I smoked. I am not a heavy smoker and this has also not happened before. The problem is that I am breathing, but I am unable to take a deep breath in comfortably. I have recently suffered from dengue and recovered almost a month back. I had a very bad cough with mucus that time, but shortly after I recovered I discontinued the cough syrup. I am still coughing occasionally. Regarding my current situation, I went to the doctors and they gave me nebulizer. But, it did not help. They checked my chest and back with a stethoscope and said everything was clear and so was my chest x-ray. I am on AB phylline 200. Please help me as I am extremely worried.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. As you said, you are suffering from cough with expectoration and breathing difficulty, it is quite possible that you can have acute bronchitis. You have a history of smoking even though not regularly. Smoking is an aggravating factor for cough. Also, there is difficulty in breathing, which suggests some airway problem. Your chest is clear to auscultation and chest x-ray is also normal. I suggest you to do a spirometry test to rule out asthma and as baseline investigation. Further treatment can be advised depending on the reports. I strongly advise you to stop smoking and continue same medicines for now. If your cough or breathing difficulty continues, you may need inhaler treatment.