A cough that happens while eating at a Lenoir restaurant is usually caused by swallowing something the wrong way, causing a brief irritation that clears within seconds. But when that cough continues for days, it may be tempting to blame it on a cold or the flu. During fall and winter, persistent coughing can also be linked to seasonal allergies, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
Coughing is a normal defense mechanism. It helps clear mucus and irritants from your airways and is more common during the cooler months when respiratory illnesses and seasonal allergies increase.
Still, not every lingering cough is something you should wait out. If your cough lasts more than three weeks without signs of improvement, especially if other symptoms are present, it is worth having it evaluated at AFC Urgent Care Lenoir. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and questions to ask when you experience a lingering cough.
What Does Your Cough Tell You?
Your body naturally produces a small amount of mucus to keep the throat and lungs moist and protected. Occasional coughing helps clear that mucus and remove irritants. The problem is that a cough can become more disruptive when it lingers. A forceful or persistent cough can cause fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, urinary incontinence, and even broken ribs.
Start by considering these things: how long you’ve been coughing, what the cough is like, and what other symptoms you’re experiencing. Your medical history can also help your AFC medical provider determine what may be causing it.
Understanding Cough Duration
Coughs fall into three categories each outlined by the cough’s duration:
- Acute coughs last less than three weeks and are often caused by conditions such as the common cold, flu, or minor seasonal allergies. Many improve with home care and over-the-counter medication.
- Subacute coughs last between three and eight weeks.
- Chronic coughs last longer than eight weeks in adults or longer than four weeks in children and should be evaluated by a medical provider.
Easing an Acute Cough at Home
A mild acute cough may not require medical attention, but that does not mean it is not frustrating. These at-home remedies may help soothe your throat and reduce irritation:
- Drink fluids: Water helps maintain moisture in the throat and can thin mucus. Honey in warm water or tea may also provide relief.
- Add moisture: A humidifier or steamy bathroom can help if dry air is making your cough worse.
- Use cough drops: Cough drops and hard candy can temporarily soothe a dry throat.
- Avoid smoke: Cigarettes and other sources of smoke can further irritate the lungs and throat.
If your cough is not improving or begins to worsen after these at-home remedies, consider an evaluation at AFC Urgent Care Lenoir.
Pay Attention to Symptoms Beyond the Cough
If you are still determining whether a cough requires medical attention, look at what comes with it. Is there mucus? What color is it? Are you experiencing fever, headache, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest pain? These symptoms can be signs that an underlying condition needs attention:
- Mucus or phlegm: Productive coughing can occur with bronchitis, pneumonia, or the flu. Yellowish-green mucus or blood is especially important to report.
- Severe chest pain or difficulty breathing: Seek medical evaluation when these symptoms accompany a cough.
- Fever, chills, or night sweats: These may occur with an underlying illness.
- Whooping, wheezing, or barking sounds: Changes in the sound of your cough can indicate another respiratory problem.
Questions About the Cough: Triggers and Medical History
When you determine your cough needs medical attention, there are many questions your medical provider will ask during your evaluation. They will ask about the cough timing, intensity, changes, and your medical history. These details can help narrow down potential triggers, and are important to consider as you analyze your lingering cough.
- Is the cough worse in the morning or at night?
- Does it increase after meals, when lying down, or during exercise?
- Did it begin after another illness?
- Has it been improving, worsening, or staying the same?
- Do you suffer from allergies or seasonal cough triggers?
- Do you have any existing medical conditions?
- Do you smoke or vape?
- Have you had recent contact with someone who had a respiratory infection, including pneumonia, tuberculosis, whooping cough, or a common cold?
Five Possible Causes of a Lingering Cough
A cough that continues beyond three weeks can be classified as subacute or chronic. While smoking is a leading cause of persistent coughing, it is not the only possibility. Harvard Health Publishing identifies five common causes of lingering coughs among non-smokers:
- Postnasal Drip: Excess mucus moves from the nose into the throat, creating irritation and a persistent urge to cough.
- Asthma: Inflammation and narrowing of the airways can make breathing more difficult.
- GERD: Stomach contents can flow backward into the esophagus and contribute to coughing.
- Chronic Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes can cause swelling and excess mucus production. It may follow an infection or result from environmental irritants.
- ACE Inhibitors: Persistent coughing can occur as a side effect of certain medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
For chronic coughs, AFC Urgent Care Lenoir providers will review your symptoms and perform a physical exam. Additional testing may include checking oxygen levels, taking a chest X-ray, or analyzing a mucus sample, depending on your symptoms.
Get Help for a Lingering Cough at AFC Lenoir
The American Lung Association reports that coughing can propel air and particles from the lungs and throat at speeds approaching 50 miles per hour. Coughing is both a powerful and important way your body protects the respiratory system. However, when a cough continues, it can be a sign that an underlying issue needs to be addressed.
If you’re dealing with a persistent cough, visit AFC Urgent Care Lenoir, where our medical providers will evaluate your symptoms and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Our clinic is open seven days a week with extended hours. Walk in or pre-register online today!