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Coughing leading to fitting - please help

2 replies

SESthebrave · 18/02/2015 19:13

At the weekend I witnessed my Dad have what I can only describe as a small fit on 4 occasions. Each time it was as part of a bout of coughing. My mum tells me this has been happening intermittently over a period of 12-18 months. Every time it happens, he's coughing.

I describe it as a small fit as his body seems to tense and he foams at the mouth slightly. The whole thing normally lasts about 5 seconds.

My Dad is also an alcoholic and I don't know if that has any bearing on this or not. He is very dismissive of health issues though and when mum has tried to express her concerns, he glosses over it and tells her not to worry

I wish I knew why this was happening to him and I wish I knew what to do.

OP posts:
SomedayMyPrinceWillCome · 20/02/2015 21:08

Please get him checked out.
Coughing can cause the heart to slow down (it's called vagal stimulation) and this "fit" you describe could be his body attempting to raise his heart rate again.
Does anything similar happen when he tries to poo (sorry)

SESthebrave · 22/02/2015 21:02

Oh thank you for replying. Sorry, have been away for a few days so not checked in.
I have no idea whether it happens when he poos but what you say about his heart rate makes sense.

No idea how to get him to get himself checked out though. Will talk to Mum

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