Coughing then choking?!
Question:
Coughing then choking?
Im going to the doctor tomorrow so please dont tell me to call a dr.
Ive been off of my feet for a while (recovering from major knee surgery)
and im not exaggerating...every time right after i cough, it can be a little cough, im gasping for breath and gagging and my eyes are watering! same thing happens when i sneeze!
Any experienence with this????
Answers:
You are probably getting small mucous plugs in your lungs. When you cough or sneeze them up, they can partially block the narrow space between your vocal cords.
While normally mucous is not dangerous, this is very concerning since you have not been moving and had surgery recently. both can result in a condition called atelectasis, which is a minor temporary collapse of part of the lung due to inactivity. This can result in decreased mucous clearing, which puts you at higher risk for pneumonia.
Your physician may suggest using the incentive spirometer that you were given after surgery hourly to reinflate your lung.
The may be pretty serious, so please do follow up with your doctor tomorrow.
As always, discuss any such questions with your physician.