Severe congestion following a cold

[JudyMWebb]

My husband is asthmatic and is suffering persistent heavy congestion following a cold. The constant hacking cough is proving really debilitating and all the usual home remedies (steam inhalation etc) seem to be having very little effect. Any suggestions as to what might help?

[Huffnpuff73]

I have this still after two weeks started with a head sinus cold shifted to chest. i went to doc they heard a rattle n wheeze had a x ray was all clear but put on doxy for a week with possible oral steriods if it doesnt shift. Personally id go to the doctors let him check his chest. Better safe than sorry. Take care.

[JudyMWebb in reply to Huffnpuff73]

Many thanks - it will be three weeks on Monday since spouse first started this cold - plan to make a doctor's appointment for him tomorrow if no improvement - he will argue though. Judy.

[Hidden]

Get some 2 cinnoman stick 3 bay leaves1/2 lemon and 7 cloves then boil them untill cinoman stick softish scrap them in the water sturr and suger or hony make him drink it hot then bed two times a day for 3 or 4 days

[JudyMWebb in reply to Hidden]

Sounds promising - am in favour of herbal remedies - will definitely try this. Many thanks, Judy.

[Hidden in reply to JudyMWebb]

I agree, Judy. Chest infections are common with lung conditions. Always get his lung checked out. For us, lung sufferers, infections can be a killer.

[JudyMWebb in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Ian - I agree - husband has been very ill in the past with complications following colds/flu - I probably fuss too much but I hate to see how much he suffers with his asthma. Judy

[Hidden in reply to JudyMWebb]

Do you keeps birds by chance? Back in the late 90s I went down with bad asthma for months. I turned out I was allergic to my cockatiel.

[Hidden in reply to JudyMWebb]

I use it all the time when got cold or flu or when hard cought

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

This sounds good David....I'm going to keep your remedy to hand, just in case.

Just one thing - what is "bed two times a day"

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

When you drink it go to bed as to keep warm not unless your houes is very warm like if you are cooking with all tbe doors and windows close and if you have a slit temp and 1 asprin and no more

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I understand...thankyou for replying so promptly David

[PastMeBest]

Hi JudyMWebb whatever your husband has it doesn't look like it is going away anytime soon. I would be inclined to go to the Doctors and get some proper treatment before it takes a good hold. He most probably needs a course of antibiotics and steroids to put him on the road to recovery.

Take care.

John

[JudyMWebb in reply to PastMeBest]

Thank you John - we're keen to avoid antibiotics if possible but if there's no improvement soon we might have to go this route. Judy

[sassy59]

I agree with PastMeBest and get hubby to see a doctor now Judy. Best wishes to you both. Xxxx

[JudyMWebb in reply to sassy59]

Thank you - husband is not keen to consult our doctor - not least because of the difficulty of getting an appointment but if doesn't show a marked improvement v soon I'm going to book him an appointment. Judy

[Hidden]

Hi please don't avoid ab's as it sounds like he has a chest infection. The longer this goes on without treatment the more he could further damage his lungs. At the first sign of infection in future he must seek immediate treatment.

Ignoring it can also lead to asthma attacks which can be serious. x

[Hidden]

Hello Judy,

Please don't let it go on despite your husband being reluctant to see the doctor. It does sound as if he really needs a course of prescribed medication. The constant coughing wears you down, I know that. I wish you and him all the best whatever you decide.

x

[JonathanPittsCrick]

Hi Judy,

There are 2 things that can make a simple cold worse and persistent:

1) a secondary bacterial infection taking advantage of the reduced resistance due to the original virus. This is generally recognisable by producing thick yellow-greenish phlegm. it usually gets sorted out by the immune system provided the general health is good but older people and those with other debilitating illness may need a short course of antibiotics to get the bugs "on the run". Without antibiotics it can progress from bronchitis to pheumnia so it needs to be taken seriously.

2) many virus infections trigger a worsening of asthma causing a dry cough and breathlessness but not much general feeling of illness or fever. This sounds more like what your husband's problem is. The solution is to increase the dose of inhaled steroids to double the usual dose (typically to 4 puffs twice a day) for 2-4 weeks, remembering to gargle and spit out after using it to avoid swallowing half of it and getting side effects (the steroid that gets into the lungs stays there and doesn't cause problems).

[Hidden]

Try spoonful of honey every day take it pure if u can

[bandit2]

not sure what you mean by steam inhalation, but if you have constant steam vapors from a vaporizer or a diffuser with eucalyptus oil it would definitely help with the breathing. I have asthma and when I was sick I had the vaporizer (steamer) going 24/7 and it helped alot easing my breathing. The cough can be helped through the dr by prescribing a syrup that contains codeine like Nova histex DH it helps cough up phlem for a nagging dry cough Hycodan is a good one to ask for. My ribs were bruised so bad from coughing and the cough syrup and steam made a huge difference. Hope this might help menthol rub on his chest, back and neck is also soothing

[JudyMWebb in reply to bandit2]

Thank you for this advice - haven't tried Eucalyptus oil yet. Cough syrup with codeine does help - will try the brand you suggest. Bruised ribs are very painful. Judy

[bandit2 in reply to JudyMWebb]

The eucalyptus oil is like Vicks it helps open up airways both in chest and nasal smells good too. Rubbing Vicks or a mentholated rub on chest, throat and back also help the airways. Let me know how it works for you. The cough syrup will definitely help with the coughing just remember one is for stopping nagging dry cough the other to help bring up phlegm

[JudyMWebb in reply to bandit2]

Have not had much success with Eucalyptus oil so far but maybe haven't used sufficient concentration - will persevere.

[dodg]

I have had asthma,bronchitis and now copd.

An old remedy which has helped me over the years

one Spanish onion peeled and cut up,one whole bulb of garlic added to onion,two tablespoons of brown sugar then sprinkle over whiskey,cover with cling film and leave to seep for 24 hours,strain and drink the juice,it helps to cut away the phlegm,or if you do not want to drink all in one go,it can be bottled and have two tablespoons every four hours. Not everyone may like the taste but not all medicine tastes now .Hope it will help your husband.

[JudyMWebb in reply to dodg]

Many thanks for this suggestion - will give it a try. Sorry to hear you now have COPD - hope you are keeping well otherwise. Judy