Coughing is your body's way of expelling an irritant in the throat or airway. Everyone experiences this once in a while. The irritation stimulates a series of nerves that inform the brain of a potential danger. The brain, in turn, sends a message to the muscles in the chest and abdomen, telling them to contract and push air out in an attempt to dislodge the irritant. That autonomic response is a cough.
Coughs are benign, most of the time. They don't indicate any lasting medical problem, but coughs can be a significant symptom of a disease. A persistent cough is always something worth investigating with a specialist like Dr. Mehta. Prolonged and vigorous coughing can interfere with your quality of life, causing headaches, muscle strains, and even bladder problems.
That is a long list, because coughing is a protective body function. The medical field breaks coughing down into two categories – acute and chronic.
An acute cough lasts just a short time, usually less than three weeks. Some possible causes of severe coughing include:
Chronic coughs are more persistent, lasting eight weeks or more in adults. They usually indicate a medical problem such as:
Some of the conditions on the list are quite serious and require continued medical monitoring with a proactive care strategy. Talk to Dr. Mehta about any concerns you may have.
Duration is a good indicator when it comes to coughs. A cough that is persistent, lasting more than a couple of weeks, requires a full evaluation. Make an appointment when a cough is accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
Combined with a cough, these indicate a respiratory problem such as infection.
Call 911 for coughs that lead to:
These symptoms can indicate a medical emergency, and require immediate treatment at the hospital.
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