Grandmother with bad cough

[oliverthecat]

I live with my grandmother for awhile now she has been getting these coughing fits there are not constant is there any home remidies we can try? she is 91 and very stubborn LOL

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have one idea, that is not a home-remedy. So, she might not go for it?
But, tell us more about what might be causing this cough.
That might be important.
Did she have some kind of cold or bronchitis and it is that cough that won't go away?

 

[kimblebee]

I live with my grandmother for awhile now she has been getting these coughing fits there are not constant is there any home remidies we can try? she is 91 and very stubborn LOL

Please don’t listen to random people on the internet who think they can diagnose your grandma by knowing her history. If you’re concerned, get her to a doctor. I’m

 

[easyas123]

Please don’t listen to random people on the internet who think they can diagnose your grandma by knowing her history. If you’re concerned, get her to a doctor. I’m

Exactly.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Coughs and the elderly are nothing to mess with. Get her seen by a doc

 

[Floridaman999]

I doctor would absolutely be the best person to ask.

Her age should make this a priority.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Of course, with the elderly, a cough could easily something serious, like pheumonia.... Aren't elderly susceptible to things like this?
That could be a real concern!

But, the OP did mention that her grandmother was very stubborn, and I read that as, will not see a Dr. If that is true, a blanket 'see a real Dr.' might not be helpful at this very moment.

OP, caring for the elderly can be difficult and stressful!!!

There is nothing wrong with asking the good posters here for some suggestions that she can try, for now!!!
And, it might be helpful if we did have more info about what might be behind the cough.

I know that this time of year, coughs are really going around, everywhere!!!
My DH had one that seemed to come back and not go away.
What we are finding is that once the cold/bronchitis has passes, the inflammation is like setting up a cycle, irritiation/coughing/more inflammation irritation.
Our Dr.s have been recommending Prednisone to calm the inflammation and help break that cycle.
I am thinking it is kind of like my MIL had Prednisone because she was sometimes Asthmatic.
Of course, this is a serious anti-inflammatory drug that does require a prescription.

Other than all the things like hot tea with honey, lemon, (maybe a little booze Hahahaha!!!)
Or cough drops, etc..
I really have no good recommendations.

 

[low-key]

Time to get in good with grandma , just kidding, Im with others better see if you could get her to go to the Dr

 

[ramee]

Yes. See a doctor.

But curious, when did the cough start? Are there any other symptoms? Fever? Is she eating ok? Drinking enough water? Tired?

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Not sure the weather where you are but the dry heat in the house bothers me so I run a humidifier that helps some.

 

[ols386]

I would recommend getting her to the doctor, as others have said.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm assuming she was probably a smoker like many of her generation were.

You didn't mention coughing up blood or phlegm so I take it it's a dry cough, and that it's new.

A cough is one of the most common complaints, sort of like abdominal pain or a rash. There can be many causes.

It will take a physician or NP/PA to review her medical history and perform a physical exam, do a chest X-RAY and such, so it does make sense to take her to the doctor's. But I also read into your comments about her being difficult that she is giving you pushback about going, so it's good that you're trying to gather information to help her. I'm assuming you weren't going to simply take random advice from on the internet from people, but were more information seeking. It is hard to offer anything with just saying she has a cough and she's 91. Much more information than that is needed. But I hope you can get her to go.

They do sell things like robitussin over the counter if you think it might help.

 

[kimblebee]

Of course, with the elderly, a cough could easily something serious, like pheumonia.... Aren't elderly susceptible to things like this?
That could be a real concern!

But, the OP did mention that her grandmother was very stubborn, and I read that as, will not see a Dr. If that is true, a blanket 'see a real Dr.' might not be helpful at this very moment.

OP, caring for the elderly can be difficult and stressful!!!

There is nothing wrong with asking the good posters here for some suggestions that she can try, for now!!!
And, it might be helpful if we did have more info about what might be behind the cough.

I know that this time of year, coughs are really going around, everywhere!!!
My DH had one that seemed to come back and not go away.
What we are finding is that once the cold/bronchitis has passes, the inflammation is like setting up a cycle, irritiation/coughing/more inflammation irritation.
Our Dr.s have been recommending Prednisone to calm the inflammation and help break that cycle.
I am thinking it is kind of like my MIL had Prednisone because she was sometimes Asthmatic.
Of course, this is a serious anti-inflammatory drug that does require a prescription.

Other than all the things like hot tea with honey, lemon, (maybe a little booze Hahahaha!!!)
Or cough drops, etc..
I really have no good recommendations.

This is a whole lot of words to say you don’t know.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is a whole lot of words to say you don’t know.

Actually, she had some good insights.

 

[kimblebee]

Actually, she had some good insights.

Her final line is that she has no recommendations.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Of course, with the elderly, a cough could easily something serious, like pheumonia.... Aren't elderly susceptible to things like this?

Any animal with lungs is susceptible to pneumonia. Did you mean more at risk while ill?

OP, caring for the elderly can be difficult and stressful!!!

While it's certainly possible the OP is caring for her grandmother, its equally or more possible they simply live together. Not every nonegenarian needs care!

I'm assuming she was probably a smoker like many of her generation were.

Not necessarily https://news.gallup.com/poll/109048/us-smoking-rate-still-coming-down.aspx

 

[NHdisneylover]

Coughing fits can also mean asthma, which can develop any time.

Agreed. She needs to see a doctor

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Her final line is that she has no recommendations.

She still had a lot of good insights.

Not necessarily https://news.gallup.com/poll/109048/us-smoking-rate-still-coming-down.aspx

If she was born in or around 1929 there is a very good chance she smoked, as many of that generation did - through the war years and beyond. It’s possible she didn’t, but it’s likely she did. I didn’t say she was necessarily a current smoker. It’s possible if she smoked for many years that she has a residual COPD, like many others that age do.

 

[asta]

I agree with she needs to see a doctor. I am dealing with a long time cough and am currently under treatment. Sometimes there is not a quick fix but a doctor needs to find the source of the cough.

I have two things that I recommend for immediate relief (this is not a cure). I take a very tiny sip of the blue liquid Tylenol Cold and Flu medicine. For some reason this calms the cough reflex and lets me sleep. I have also had a doctor recommend taking a small sip of port wine for the same effect. This doctor treats performers and is a voice specialist.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If she was born in or around 1929 there is a very good chance she smoked, as many of that generation did - through the war years and beyond.

Per the site i linked, in the 1940s 43% of Americans smoked. Fifty-seven percent did not smoke. While it's certainly possible she was a smoker, it's more possible that she is and was among the 57% majority. My ex-MIL is over 100 and never smoked.