Ask A Doctor: How Do I Treat a Cough?
Throat irritation and sleepless nights are no fun. Every year in the U.S., over 30 million healthcare visits occur due to coughs. While coughing is very common and often resolves quickly without treatment, sometimes, it indicates a more serious medical condition.
Learning to recognize the signs of a common cough and acute or chronic cough will help ensure you know how to soothe symptoms and seek treatment at the appropriate time should you need it.
Types of Coughs
There are a few different types of coughs. Knowing the signs for each can help you figure out your treatment options and if you need to discuss your cough with your physician.
Coughs typically fall into the following categories:
- Acute
- Subacute
- Chronic
An acute cough generally resolves in fewer than three weeks, and subacute coughs, often slightly more severe, between three and eight weeks. A chronic cough is classified as one lasting eight weeks or longer.
What Causes a Cough?
Acute and subacute coughs are often associated with short-term illnesses. When the sickness resolves, typically, so does the cough. Chronic coughs continue to linger and may occur due to various issues. The most common causes of chronic coughs, however, are:
- Environmental irritants and allergies
- Sleep apnea
- Postnasal drip
- Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
- Lung disease , including cancer
- Sinusitis
- ACE inhibitors (drugs used to treat high blood pressure)
- Smoking
How to Treat a Cough at Home
If you are more focused on your cough than your daily routine, take a few minutes for self-care using any of the quick and easy at-home remedies below.
- Cough drops with menthol- Cough drops containing even a small amount of menthol may help relieve coughs temporarily, as menthol acts as a mild anesthetic
- A spoonful of honey- ( Not appropriate for young children as it may be harmful ) Honey, especially when combined with a bit of lemon, can help reduce inflammation
- Use a humidifier- Dry air irritates the throat, often causing coughing or making it worse
- Hydrate- Keeping your mouth moist helps avoid a dry throat which often leads to coughing
- Consume warm drinks like tea- warm liquids help soothe an irritated throat
- Avoid irritants like fumes, dust, pollen, or mold- Irritants and allergies cause coughing as the body tries to expel the foreign substance
- Gargle with salt water- Warm salt water can ease a sore throat and help flush out pathogens
- Enjoy some ginger in your food or beverage- Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce coughing
- Prop your head up while resting or sleeping- This will help avoid mucus accumulating in the back of the throat, which causes coughing
When a cough becomes persistent, it can be annoying and exhausting. A chronic cough can interrupt sleep, cause dizziness, and even urinary incontinence. If you are experiencing a chronic cough, it may be time to see your doctor.
When to See a Primary Care Doctor for Your Cough―Quiz
Unsure as to whether your cough merits a trip to your primary care doctor ? Take the short quiz below to help you decide.
- Does a fever accompany your cough?
- Are you experiencing shortness of breath?
- Is your cough coupled with night sweats?
- Are you coughing up thick green or yellow mucus?
- Do you have unexplained weight loss along with your cough?
- Do you have headaches alongside your cough?
- Is your cough causing severe fatigue?
- Does your cough have a whooping, wheezing, or barking sound?
- Has your cough lasted and been consistent for more than three weeks?
If you answered yes to any of the above, it is time to let your primary care physician know about your cough.
How Will My Primary Care Physician Diagnose and Treat My Cough?
Treating a cough starts with identifying the underlying cause. Think carefully about your cough and write down any key traits. For example, note whether it is a wet or dry cough, makes a peculiar sound, or if some activities or foods worsen your cough.
Diagnosing Your Cough
Your physician will start by taking a detailed medical history. Your doctor will also perform a thorough exam and likely ask several questions about your cough, such as when it began, whether it is painful, if anyone else in your family is coughing, and ask about any additional symptoms you may be experiencing. Coughs coupled with symptoms like fever, headaches , fatigue, chest pain, bloody sputum, or labored breathing will typically require testing. Commonly ordered tests include chest X-rays , CT scans, and blood or mucus tests.
Treating Your Chronic Cough
The treatment of your cough depends on its cause. If a specific irritant or allergy is causing your cough, your doctor’s solution may be as simple as advising you to avoid exposure to it in the future. For most, however, the treatment plan will vary and be customized to target the specific underlying cause of the chronic cough.
PCP Near Me Providing Cough Relief
Are you looking for relief from a nagging cough? We are here to help! Our facility has everything needed for quick, convenient service, including onsite imaging, a laboratory, and a full-service pharmacy.
We invite you to book an appointment using our online form or by calling our office at (303) 703-8583. Our office is centrally located at 20 W Dry Creek Circle, Littleton, CO 80120.
Colorado Primary Healthcare proudly serves patients in the Greater Denver area, including Littleton, Ken Caryl, Columbine, Bow Mar, Englewood, Southglenn, Greenwood Village, Castlewood, and Northridge.
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