Long lasting cough
Discussion
Elderly relative (late eighties) has had a cough for weeks. He sees his doctor regularly for other issues so I wasn't worried, but since it's still happening I asked whether he'd mentioned it to the doctor. He said he had, and been sent for a X ray which showed nothing.
A couple of questions. Is an X ray the natural next investigation for a chronic cough or does it imply some other symptoms?
What kind of things could cause a chronic cough and might it relate to the fact that his house doesn't appear to be dusted or vacuumed very often, if at all?
He is generally healthy, not smoked for 40 odd years and never very much. He did suffer badly from bronchitis when he was 20 or so, not sure if relevant.
A couple of questions. Is an X ray the natural next investigation for a chronic cough or does it imply some other symptoms?
What kind of things could cause a chronic cough and might it relate to the fact that his house doesn't appear to be dusted or vacuumed very often, if at all?
He is generally healthy, not smoked for 40 odd years and never very much. He did suffer badly from bronchitis when he was 20 or so, not sure if relevant.
Google search "blood pressure table dry cough"
Comes up with...There is a class of blood pressure medications that can frequently cause a cough. This class is called the ACE inhibitors. Some examples of ACE inhibitors include lisinopril, captopril, and ramipril. The cough is generally a dry one but can be quite annoying.
I stopped my tablets for 4 days and my cough went away then started my tablets again with no cough.
Comes up with...There is a class of blood pressure medications that can frequently cause a cough. This class is called the ACE inhibitors. Some examples of ACE inhibitors include lisinopril, captopril, and ramipril. The cough is generally a dry one but can be quite annoying.
I stopped my tablets for 4 days and my cough went away then started my tablets again with no cough.
Super Slo Mo said:
X ray would probably be to check for pneumonia or lung cancer, at a guess.
Was the first port of call when I had a cough I couldn't shift. Unfortunately for me this did show up an issue so I was sent for a CT scan which showed more issues, then referred to a consultant as a suspect cancer case which luckily it didn't turn out to be but I was a bit stressed at that point in time 
Edited by C0ffin D0dger on Monday 14th November 12:34
There are a number of chronic lung conditions which fall under the umbrella term pulmonary fibrosis which can cause a long lasting dry cough. The dusty environment along with a history of smoking could well cause it and certainly wouldn't be helping it get better.
Early stage fibrosis can be difficult to pick up on x-ray so a referral to a respiratory specialist with a view to getting a CT scan might be a good idea.
Early stage fibrosis can be difficult to pick up on x-ray so a referral to a respiratory specialist with a view to getting a CT scan might be a good idea.
Edited by zeDuffMan on Monday 14th November 09:35
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