?What is the reason for your excessive coughing
Encountering a symphony of coughs is commonplace during this season. An intermittent cough is a natural and beneficial bodily response. However, a persistent cough lasting several weeks or producing discolored or bloody mucus may indicate a medical condition requiring attention.
Your body Initiates a cough when an irritant affects your throat or airways. Nerves signal the brain, prompting muscles in the chest and abdomen to expel air, eliminating the irritant. While occasional coughing is expected, prolonged and forceful coughs may signal underlying medical issues.
Intense coughing can irritate the lungs, leading to further coughing, sleep disturbances, dizziness, headaches, urinary incontinence, vomiting, and even broken ribs.
Distinguishing between acute and chronic coughs is crucial. Acute coughs, lasting less than three weeks, may result from a common cold, influenza, irritant inhalation, pneumonia, or whooping cough. Chronic coughs may be linked to allergies, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, COVID-19, croup, GERD, heart failure, lung cancer, or RSV.
Determining when to consult healthcare professionals can be challenging. Typically, benign coughs with cold-like symptoms resolve on their own. Cough medicines offer relief for acute coughs causing discomfort, sleep disruption, without worrisome symptoms. Additionally, remedies like cough drops, honey, chicken noodle soup, rest, humidifiers, and avoiding tobacco smoke can help alleviate symptoms.
Notably, antibiotics might not be suitable for viral-induced coughs. Seek medical advice if coughing produces thick, discolored sputum with fevers, chills, chest pain, or difficulty breathing.
While coughs are often indicators of underlying issues, they can also be a straightforward irritation in the lungs or airways. Pay attention to accompanying symptoms and, if necessary, consider COVID-19 testing. Prioritize self-care, including rest, hydration, and maintaining a moist environment. Hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of illnesses.
Dr. Liz Husted, a family medicine physician in La Crosse, Wisconsin, emphasizes the importance of monitoring and addressing cough symptoms to ensure overall well-being.
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