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August 25, 2008, 2:17 pm
Flag as Inappropriate MissyA  

My mother has a chronic cough that appears to be allergy related. She has been tested for asthma and ephysema. She coughts so hard that she can barely get her breath. The cough is non-productive and worsens at night. So far all tests have come out negative. Has anyone else ever experienced this either themselves or with a loved one?

Does she smoke? Is there a history of bronchitis? Does the cough worsen when she exercises?

I will assume that she doesn't smoke, since tests were done.

What imaging techniques have been used?

Has she had radon testing done in her home? Radon is second to smoking in causing lung problems, and it quite common in basements, especially in older homes.

I cough at night but it's caused by my blood pressure medication. If she takes any meds check to see if there are any side effects that might cause her cough.

Smoking is the first guess for many people. Does your mother always tend to get sick easy? I know a friend of mine gets cronic broncititis to the point the doc's yanked out his tonsils when he was a teen and that still did not help, he was just prone to coughing a ton but nothing was really the matter that much.

a few thinsg many dont think of:

Kidney problems. A cough that is un productive can be indicative of a kidney infection or bladder infection, it's nto always an allergy.

Has a kidney, bladder or UTI been ruled out?

Was her apartment/home recently sprayed wiht an herbacide/insecticide? has her detergent changed? has her medication changed if she is on any? Coughing is a reaction to someting new as well.

Dont overlook what could be obvious.

oh yeah also forgot GERD. GERD creates a non productive cough, when the esophagus becomes irritated.

j

Sorry I have to ask this question but I really want to help you. Is your mum a heavy drinker? If she is, you better ask her to stop drinking. I have a friend who is a heavy drinker and he is in hospital right now as he has been coughing so badly for the past few days.