Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] My best girl friend has been coughing up mucus for two years, has shortness of breath, been to hospital a few times. She insists the doctors have no answers as to what her problem is. I don t see how that is possible. She does suffer with depression. She is always prescribed prednisone. It seems to help for a while, then she s back to the same problem. What s wrong with her? We love her and we, her friends are concerned about her.
[|AI|]  Hello dear, thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your situation and problem. In my opinion your friend should consult pulmonologist and get done1. Chest x ray2. PUT (pulmonary function test). Chronic cough with mucus production and shortness of breath can be seen in1. Asthma2. Chronic bronchitis3. Chronic infection. So chest x-ray is needed to rule out infection if present.PFT is needed to rule out asthma and bronchitis. Since she was improved with prednisolone, probability of asthma is more. And don't give oral prednisolone (steroid) as it is harmful to the body. Better to consult pulmonologist and first diagnose her and then start treatment accordingly.