We’re still in the middle of flu and cold season, so coughs are fairly common throughout Columbia. A cough may seem easy to ignore at first (albeit inconvenient), but if your cough has lasted a long time without letting up, then you may be wondering if it’s time to seek medical attention.
What Causes a Persistent Cough?
There are many causes of a persistent cough. It usually results from something irritating your body’s airways. This could be excess mucus, inflammation, or a foreign object in the throat, among many other causes.
Some of the more common causes of a persistent cough include viruses (such as the common cold, influenza or COVID-19), throat or sinus infections, allergies, asthma, postnasal drip, acid reflux, laryngitis or inhaling air irritants (such as air pollution or cigarette smoke).
Some other causes that are less common include lung diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, pneumonia, or pulmonary fibrosis), heart disease, swollen tonsils or adenoids and the use of ACE inhibitors (a class of blood pressure medicine).
These are not all the possible causes of a chronic cough; an ENT specialist will be able to determine which of these are causing your annoying symptoms.
How Do I Know It’s Time to See an ENT?
Not every cough needs a specialist; however, if you’re experiencing some or all of the following, you should consider making an ENT appointment:
- The cough has lasted more than eight weeks
- You’re experiencing other symptoms, such as a fever over 100°, chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing or wheezing
- The cough is interfering with your sleep: interrupted sleep, night sweats and increased fatigue
- You’re noticing decreased appetite and/or unexplained weight loss
- You’re coughing up blood
- Over-the-counter and home remedies haven’t helped
If it has become clear that your cough is a symptom of a deeper issue, seek a doctor who specializes in throat care.
What to Expect at Your ENT Visit
Our ENT provider will take a comprehensive exam of your throat health and look for other factors that might be present in your cough. We’ll discuss your medical history, then run some tests, such as a head and neck exam, imaging tests or a laryngoscopy.
Once we’ve pinpointed the cause of your symptoms, we’ll discuss treatment options. This may include lifestyle changes, medications (both over-the-counter and prescription) or, in some cases, surgery.
If you’ve tried everything to get rid of your cough and it’s only gotten worse, it’s time to seek our help. Call Palmetto ENT & Allergy today to make an appointment and get the help you need for your cough.