Diagnostic Tests for Dry cough

Diagnostic Test list for Dry cough:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Dry cough includes:

• Physical examination
• Examine lymph nodes looking for enlarged cervical or Axillary lymph nodes which may indicate lung cancer
• Examine for Horner's syndrome - e.g. dilated pupil and drooping of the upper eyelid which may indicate lung cancer.
• Examine for possible causes of postnasal drip - e.g. sinusitis, ear infection, nasal polyps.
• Examine lungs noting breath sounds and their intensity and also the presence of added sounds
• Examine cardiovascular system for evidence of left ventricular failure
• Examine or enlarged liver and spleen which may suggest a systemic disease involving the lungs - e.g. polyarteritis nodosa, sarcoidosis.
• Blood tests
• Full blood count for evidence of infection, anemia or cell changes with asthma
• ESR may be elevated with any bacterial chest infection and lung cancer)
• Lung function tests - can help distinguish between obstructive lung disease e.g. asthma and restrictive lung disease e.g. pulmonary fibrosis.
• Radiological investigations
• Chest X-Ray can show many lung problems and show signs of left ventricular heart failure
• Sinus X-Ray or CT scan to pick up sinusitis which may case post-nasal drip and chronic cough
• CT scan or MRI scan of chest - more sensitive then chest X-Ray, used to further characterize abnormalities found on Chest X-Ray.
• Barium swallow can detect gastro-esophageal reflux, esophageal diverticulum
• Echocardiogram may be required to diagnose left ventricular failure
• Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy with or without lung biopsy - may detect lung cancer, foreign body, chronic fibrotic lung disease.
• Esophageal pH monitoring - may be required to diagnose gastro-esophageal reflux.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Dry cough causes:

• Lung & Respiratory Health Tests:
  • Asthma-Related Home Test Kits
  • Home Lung Function Test Kits
• Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
  • Home Fever Tests
  • Home Ear Infection Test Kits
  • Home Flu Tests
  • Home Strep A Tests

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