Conditions
CHRONIC COUGH
Symptoms & treatment for chronic cough
Coughing can be classified by its duration. An acute cough typically lasts less than three weeks, while a subacute cough persists for three to eight weeks. A chronic cough is defined as lasting longer than eight weeks.
Chronic or persistent cough with phlegm is a common medical concerns that require professional evaluation and medical attention to identify the underlying cause and guide effective management.
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MAIN CAUSES OF A CHRONIC COUGH
- Lung conditions, like asthma
- Acid reflux
- Post-infectious cough after infection
- Rarer causes: medication, cancer
- Postnasal drip (Upper airway cough syndrome) – due to a cold, allergies or a sinus infection
The rash is created by the body’s release of histamines & other chemical messengers into the skin, in response to a trigger (allergen, infection, temperature change, or medication). The skin responds by opening up the blood vessels & releasing fluid into the tissues.
SYMPTOMS
- Frequent throat clearing and sore throat
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
- Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm
- Hoarseness
- Heartburn
- Constant cough for days
- In rare cases, coughing up blood
WHEN SHOULD I VISIT A DOCTOR?
- You have trouble breathing or noisy breathing.
- You have a fever or chest pain.
- Coughing up blood, or yellow or green mucus
- Your cough gets worse or lasts for more than 10 days
- You have a constant cough and have lost weight without trying
WHAT WILL THE DOCTOR DO?
- A swab to test for virus
- Lab tests on a sample of the mucus you cough up
- A chest X-ray
- A CT scan of your chest or sinuses
- Using a scope to check your airway and even reflux
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CONDITIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
If your cough persists beyond 2 weeks, worsens, or lasts longer than 8 weeks, see a doctor. Seek immediate medical attention if you’re coughing up blood, have chest pain, difficulty breathing, or unexplained weight loss.
Asthma causes wheezing and worsens with exercise. Postnasal drip comes with a blocked nose and throat irritation. Acid reflux causes a sour throat and heartburn. A GP can diagnose using chest X-rays, spirometry tests, or scope examination to pinpoint the cause.
Night-time coughing disrupts sleep, leading to fatigue that impacts work performance and mood. An untreated cough can also cause complications like incontinence or rib fractures. Early treatment resolves these symptoms within weeks instead of prolonging suffering.