I have started waking up at night coughing up fluid and feeling like “drowning “?

Hi! I’m a 41 year old woman, non-smoking and generally in good health. In the past couple months I have started waking up at night coughing up fluid and feeling like “drowning “. Before Christmas last year I had a 3 weeks period during which I had daily heart palpitations. I didn’t think much of it since I sometimes get palpitations if stressed out. However now having these nightly coughing fits, started thinking those may be related. I read online, that fluids collecting in lungs could possibly have to do with heart.

I have had a couple of colds this winter and got antibiotics for sinus infection which healed fine. I also have seasonal allergies which I take Claritin occasionally.

I appreciate your answers and recommendations. Thanks.



5 Comments on “I have started waking up at night coughing up fluid and feeling like “drowning “?

  1. hi,
    yes,you are right.
    it may be related to heart,but not always.
    get a ecg and 2D echo done to confirm.
    A chest Xray,spirometry and HRCT chest will rule out underlying lung disease.
    thanks

  2. I am afraid this is mostly signs of heart problem … I recommend u to do ECG, echo, liver function tests

    Due u feel tired on exertion ??
    Any Odema in the legs?
    Any pain in the abdomen??

  3. In my opinion this cough is a complication of post nasal discharges at night, and bronchitis ,also anaemia is possible according to the history of long menstrual period,
    CBC and chest functions evaluation should be done with a specialist ..
    I recommend treating any sinusitis very well and using incentive spirometer to strength your coughing efficiency ..

  4. Hi..
    Thanks for the query..

    Your symptoms can be related to acid reflux , do you also have symptoms like heartburn, bitter fluid in mouth etc?
    If you have heart palpitations too then you need to get an Echocardiogram also done..
    A Chest x ray should also be done..

    Hope this helps..

  5. Hi
    I recommend that you do a chest X-ray to check your lung along with a heart echo to check your heart, I do not think ecg will be significant
    Good Luck

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