Diagnostic Tests for Mild cough

Diagnostic Test list for Mild cough:

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

• Physical examination
  • Inspect sputum for color and consistency if possible
  • 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, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, lung abscess or lung cancer)
  • Serology for atypical pneumonia organisms - e.g. mycoplasma, Chlamydia and pertussis.
  • Blood cultures if fever is present
• Sputum microscopy and culture
• Sputum culture for acid fast bacilli to rule out tuberculosis if suspected
• Lung function tests - can help distinguish between obstructive lung disease e.g. asthma, emphysema and bronchitis and restrictive lung disease e.g. pulmonary fibrosis.
• Skin prick allergy testing may be valuable in asthma
• Radiological investigations
  • Chest X-Ray can show many lung problems and show signs of left ventricular heart failure e.g. enlarged heart
  • 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, bronchiectasis, foreign body, chronic fibrotic lung disease.
• Esophageal pH monitoring - may be required to diagnose gastro-esophageal reflux.
• Tuberculin skin test - may diagnose tuberculosis, but misleading if previous BCG vaccination.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Mild 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

 » Next page: Glossary

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