Dr. Sanoop Kumar Sherin Sabu , (M.B.B.S., M.D., Gen Med )
Every day many people visits doctors with complaints of cough. Some of them experience it for more than a year or so.
What is cough?
In simple terms cough is the reaction of our airway and lungs when it is irritated. The irritation can be a small mucus in the nose or throat or even a large cancer in the lungs.
What are the common reasons for short duration (less than 4 weeks cough) ?
Short duration cough is very common after a recent upper respiratory infection ( Common cold). Even after the common cold is cured, cough alone may persist. This condition usually resolves by itself by 2 weeks to 3 weeks time.
Other reasons are throat infection , Sinusitis , food particles or any small materials if accidently aspirated into lungs can result in cough.
Even a recent chest infection or pneumonia or COVID-19 or Influezna Virus ( flu) can cause cough
What are the reasons for longer duration cough?
Longer duration cough, can be due to Wheeze, asthma, gas trouble ( Peptic Ulcer) , lung diseases, Tuberculosis.
Smokers, tobacco users, exposure to dust, pollen, exposure to firewood smokes, pesticides can cause cough not resolved.
Some patients who had severe COVID—19 infection can have long term cough.
Some patients who have cough, with blood mixed sputum can have heart disease, kidney disease or even cancers in lung.
What can be done?
The reason for cough can be as simple as a common cold or deadly as cancer. If cough is not settled even after home remedies like warm saline gargle 3 times daily , drinking warm water, avoiding cold, steam inhalation etc, its wise to get evaluated with a physician regarding your symptoms before it get worsened.
Warning signs to meet a doctor are in emergency:
If along with cough you have any of the below features visit a doctor immediately
- Blood mixed sputum
- Breathing difficulty
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Cancers patients with new onset cough
- Swelling in legs ( Edema) or decreased urine flow
- Cough more than 4 weeks
