Hi my mum is 83 and for years now she has been suffering with bad choking fits every day which seems to come from congestion. She does nt take any medication and says that nothing can be done to help her. As she gets older the coughing is getting worse. Is there anything that can be done to help her? When she coughs she sometimes runs out of breath. It is constant every day.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your mothers situation and problem. In my opinion, we should first diagnose her and then start appropriate treatment. By her history and description, possibility of bronchitis or aspiration pneumonia is more. Bronchitis is common in old age. Choking with thick secretions in old age is common in aspiration pneumonia. So better to consult pulmonologist and get done 1. Clinical examination of respiratory system 2. Chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia. 3. PUT (Pulmonary Function Test) for the diagnosis of bronchitis. She may need antibiotics, inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). So better to first diagnose her and then start appropriate treatment. Hope I have solved your query. Wish you good health. Thanks.