Jump to content

Can I stop severe coughing fit (bronchospasm) and vomiting during a cold.


Recommended Posts

Posted

I suffer the same amount of colds, strep throat and adenovirus' as the average person but the first day tends to be characterised by rather extreme symptoms which are both painful and worrying. I'm pretty sure there is no underlying major health condition such as OPLD, or whooping cough, but have wondered if I have a weak diaphragm and tend towards asthma.

The following is typical: painful sore throat, tight scratchy voice box, hot air tube, acid reflux, very tight painful bronchials. I then succumb to severe unproductive coughing fit in which I hoop, and this leads to violent bouts of vomiting to bile, usually 3-4 episodes. The symptoms then subside quickly and my cold or strep throat will clear up quickly. I could easily then go out and do a run on the treadmill, and can and do bound up subway staircase as usual.

I do suffer from nasal problems and painful sinus quite a bit generally, which has been diagnosed as non allergic rhinitis, with pollution, air con, being the prime suspects.

Is there any way of mitigating a bronchospasm once underway?

How do I know if I am a bit asthmatic?

Can I tighten up the diaphragm at the top of my stomach so I don't puke so much?

Any other thoughts or sensible opinions sought.

Posted

Entirely possible that you are suffering asthma attacks. You need to consult a chest physician.

You can also purchase a "Ventoline" inhaler which will rapidly ease any bronchospasm

Read the instructions before use!

Posted

How do you know/why do you think you have tight bronchials?

Good question, I’d just assumed it was bronchials because the soreness radiated from just under the centre of the ribs. When I coughed the pain was similar to when you greedily gulp down a cold drink and swallow air or the food goes down the wrong way.

So to get it off my chest so to speak I’ll get the full story with the kitchen sink as follows. Apolgies in advance for the rather drawn out tale, best not read on a full stomach:

First woke up at about 3am with acidy stomach and acid reflux, I’d had some raw chillie on the side of my plate and a couple of glasses of cheap wine which I haven’t done for a year or so, in fact I thought I was going to vomit. In the morning my stomach was a bit unsettled and I became aware of a sore voice box, my voice was hoarse, and my chest starting to feel tight all over and sore under the centre of the ribs.

I was regularly having to swallow saliva or phlegm and my throat began to hurt quite a bit, and then this really annoying and dry, irritated, unproductive cough that came and went and gradually became more of a series of intermittent coughing fits punctuated by this sort of hooping sound as I gasp for air. My stomach starts to churn up and is very acidy with a burning at the top, and I then began to throw up, I guess about 10 heaves, just bringing up water , phlegm and bile and all the time the blasted coughing continues.

Same again about early evening but not as severe, and then in the shower just before bedtime. In the early hours I started to hold water down, and drank and drank.

I woke up with very sore chest muscles, but the cough had began to subside, but it hurt like hell every time I did cough, and the whole chest area was tight. I had to catch a flight back to Bangkok and luckily the chest started to ease although my throat became the dominant symptom.

By early afternoon I was ravenously hungry and slept most of the afternoon and evening, and after a few hours slept well at night too.

I then had minor cold symptoms the next day , mainly sneezing and a runny nose. And I think in the evening the cough came back a little but this time only a couple of deep hacks and I spat out creamy yellow/green phlegm. Slept soundly again hardly coughing at all, and then had another couple of deep hacks in the shower which were similarly productive.

Now I feel strong and healthy again.

I assume I had some sort of virus, because 2 of my in laws are experiencing similar, in fact my little niece had more or less similar symptoms.

As I say it is the severity of the cough that bothers me and it is just that the term broncho spasm resonated with me.

With luck, it won’t happen again for another couple of years. But sometimes when my sinus is blocked, I cough a lot and might puke just once. This happens maybe once or twice a year and is nothing on the scale of the above.

As mentioned, I suffer from non allergic rhinitis and consequent sinus pain quite a bit.

I am 53, just under 6’ and weigh about 74 kilos, and am fit and active . I have only ever had an ECG about 5 years ago because I had to have a minor operation , my pulse then was about 47 at total rest and BP about 115/65 as I remember. My last medical was about 2 years ago, and came out thumbs up, but I had to have a follow up test to rule out diabetes (which was ruled out).

I counted my pulse whilst feeling ill on that very day, I was out in the open in the shade and it was about 60. I’m pretty sure it was right because I am watching a vein pulse on my inner wrist. Again at rest in bed it is about 48.

Posted

Bronchospasm and dry cough/coughing fits are not at all the same thing. Bronchospasm is a serious, potentially life threatening condition in which you will be wheezing and having trouble getting air in and out.

It may be that all you have is an annoying dry cough, most likely set off by post-nasal drip and resultant throat irritation and perhaps a throat infection on top of that. But to be sure, see a doctor while you are having all this and have them listen to your chest to see if there is any wheezing.

For dry cough, the "Browns Mixture" you can get at any pharmacy works well (green packaging with a red leopard on it). . As will any of the cough syrups containing low doses of codeine: Benylin, Bonadine CD, Codipront, Tussidyl, etc.

Don't take these in excess or for long, they make make you constipated. but for a day or so to control a dry cough is OK.

Sipping hot ginger tea (boiled water + a few pieces of fresh ginger, not the powdered teas) wiht a little honey in it will help soothe your throat.

As I suspect your problems stem from your sinus issues aI suggest you see a good ENT. Prof. Songklot at St louis (Thirsadys 3 - 9 PM) and Sundays) is very good.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



×
×
  • Create New...