Illness and dementia

N00dles

Any advice for male with middle-stage Alz who has the crud that's going around? We managed to get to a family wedding (a long trip, but a huge blessing) but we (parents, myself, and my husband) got sick after returning. My mother got my Dad to the doctor yesterday, and he has bronchitis and sinus. He is still living at home, and currently resting in his recliner. He has coughed so much his side hurts.

LicketyGlitz

Ask the doctor for the really strong, by prescription only, cough syrup with codeine. It should give him some relief and hopefully make him sleepy so he can get some good rest and get over the yucks.

I hope that helps!

May flowers

Hope he feels better soon, Noodles. My FIL had “the crud” a few months back and for us Mucinex helped him the most (okayed by his doc)- made it easier to cough stuff up. He was already taking vitamin D3, C, and Zinc. 

MN Chickadee

You will want to consult a doctor about any meds to try because even OTC ones can cause big problems for dementia. Benedryl for example can be really bad for a Person With Dementia. 

I am prone to getting sinusitis and nasty lingering coughs after any illness. I have found ibuprofen to help it; I think it's inflammation in the lungs that causes it so the NSAID reduces the inflammation. Might be an easy over the counter thing to try. I also find Pseudoephredrine works wonders on the sinusitis but I have no idea if that is safe for a PWD. When I get a really bad cough that won't go away or makes sleep impossible I get the prescription cough syrup Lickety mentioned with codeine. That really does the trick. Also could try a humidifier in his bedroom.