Different medical conditions can be responsible for cough, like pulmonary disease and asthma that need medical help. If your cough doesn’t go away even after three weeks or more, you should immediately see a pulmonologist.
Irritated airways or lungs are the reason people cough. It often happens due to the common cold, and you can easily treat it at home with simple remedies.
This article will discuss when you need medical attention for your cough and some common reasons for cough that won’t go away.
When to visit a doctor?
You should see a physician if the cough is persistent and accompanied by the following symptoms:
- fever
- coughing up blood
- unexplained weight loss
- fatigue
- difficulty breathing
Causes
The common cold
The commonest cause of persistent cough is common cold, and it can bring along other symptoms as well, including:
- sore throat
- runny nose
- pain in the body
- sneezing
- headache
It is not necessary to see a doctor for a cold, as the symptoms will usually go away on their own within a few days.
Visiting a doctor isn’t necessary in this case, as the symptoms will get better within a few days. But if the symptoms don’t improve after 10 days or worsen, see a doctor.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis occurs due to the inflammation of the airways in the lungs. Acute bronchitis can get better within a few days or weeks, but chronic bronchitis can last for months.
Both types of bronchitis can induce mucusy cough along with other symptoms such as:
- weakness
- pain in head
- body pain
- sore throat
- runny nose
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD is a lung disease that makes breathing difficult. The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoking.
Some prominent symptoms include:
- difficult breathing
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- persistent coughing
- excess mucus
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lung infection that results in the swelling of small air sacs in the lung. Sometimes the sacs may fill with fluid. Both conditions hinder the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream.
The main symptoms of pneumonia are cough with mucus, and:
- fever
- confusion
- chest ache
- loss of appetite
- shortness of breath
- vomiting
Asthma
Asthma can make it difficult to breathe. For some people, the triggers for asthma include exposure to air pollutants. The result can be persistent coughing that gets worse at night.
Other symptoms of asthma include:
- Wheezing
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
If you’re experiencing asthma, it’s good to see a physician.
Allergies
A person may experience allergy when their immune system overreacts to pollen or dust. Exposure to such harmless substances can trigger several symptoms, including:
- sneezing
- coughing
- skin rashes
- sore eyes
- stuffy nose
- itching
If things turn out real bad, allergies can result in anaphylaxis. This condition can quickly worsen and require medical attention.
What To Do?
If it’s been more than 3 weeks and your cough won’t go away or is accompanied by more severe symptoms like coughing up blood, immediately see your doctor. Schedule an appointment today with the experts at Pulmonary Medical Consultants. Call (281) 357-1300.