A cough that started out of nowhere and won’t go away. It’s not because something went down the wrong pipe, nor a cold or flu. Nothing seems to have caused it but it has been going on for weeks, or even months. What makes it worse is that it’s now affecting your sleep and annoying the people around you. If this sounds like what you’re going through, you may be suffering from chronic cough.
For smokers, long-term smoking is usually what induces a chronic “smoker’s cough” due to the chemicals in the cigarettes. These chemicals could also lead to more severe conditions, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or even lung cancer.
Non-smokers may still experience chronic cough, sometimes also referred to as a persistent cough. The most common causes of a persistent cough include:
The first three causes, either individually or combined, are why most adults suffer from chronic cough.
Your cough is considered chronic if it lasts longer than 8 weeks. Although a persistent cough is not cause for concern, you should seek medical help as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms:
Our house call services are available 24/7 for any other urgent medical needs as well!
Medication used to treat persistent cough include:
Your Speedoc doctor can prescribe these medications for you after a video consultation. Free medication delivery is available.
If you smoke, the first step would be to quit or at least cut back on smoking. Your doctor will be able to advise on smoking cessation.
Never ignore your chronic cough, but don’t panic as well. Get the care you need at home with Speedoc’s house call doctors.
Rest and recover in peace as our doctor treats you in the safety and comfort of your home, 24/7. If you’d like to receive medical advice quickly, our telemedicine service, available 8am to 8pm daily, is a good choice.
Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/that-nagging-cough