Greenville Pulmonary Associates and Dr. Mohan Philip, your Greenville, TX, pulmonologist, are here for you if your cough persists. Everybody coughs, so when is it serious and when do you call a doctor? Read about coughs and come see us in Greenville, TX, if you're worried about your cough.
A cough is a common symptom that happens for various reasons. Coughs happen when the lungs or airways become irritated. The most common cause of a cough is the common cold and this normally doesn't require you to see a doctor. If a cough comes on with any of the following symptoms it could be a sign of something more serious and you should seek medical attention:
- Fever
- Coughing up blood
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
The kind of cough you have can be determined by how long it lasts. Acute coughs last up to three weeks. They usually have a cause like the common cold and don't require medical attention. A subacute cough can last for three to eight weeks, and a chronic cough lasts longer than eight weeks. Subacute and chronic coughs may require medical attention.
Some causes of subacute coughs could be bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia. Bronchitis causes a cough that brings up mucus and can last for a few weeks. Mild cases can be treated at home and go away on their own, but more severe cases may require medical treatment. Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs and you should definitely seek medical treatment if you have the symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, and nausea. Asthma is a chronic lung disease with symptoms of chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It can be triggered by allergens, but a doctor can help you manage asthma.
A couple of causes of chronic coughs include GERD and COPD. GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is caused by stomach acid leaking into the esophagus and can cause coughing. COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung disease mainly caused by tobacco smoking. There is no cure for these chronic conditions, but a doctor can help you manage symptoms like coughing.
Dr. Mohan Philip, your Greenville, TX, pulmonologist is here for you if you're concerned about a cough. Contact Greenville Pulmonary Associates at (903) 454-9976.