When You Should Be Concerned About Your Cough

Everyone coughs at least once or twice a day, with most of those coughs being common defensive reflexes. Your respiratory system is trying to rid itself of ordinary mucus, allergens and irritants. Other types of coughs, however, are more frequent and specific to a particular condition. 

If you’re troubled by your cough, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment with Carnegie Hill Pediatrics. Our full spectrum of up-to-the-minute diagnostic equipment and treatment tools identify pulmonary issues quickly and accurately.

Here’s a look at kinds of coughs that can be associated with worrisome ailments. 

Wet: They come with mucus from your respiratory system and can start rapidly or gradually. They’re associated with asthma, acute bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, a cold or the flu and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). 

Dry: Mucous isn’t involved, they’re hacking and may happen in prolonged outbursts. They’re caused by irritation or inflammation in the respiratory tract, often due to an upper respiratory infection. It’s not uncommon for dry coughs to hang around for a few weeks after a cold or the flu has ended. 

It’s important to note that dry coughs are common symptoms of Covid-19. Anyone who has a dry cough that’s accompanied by a fever, shortness of breath, chest tightness or bluish lips should immediately seek medical help. 

Paroxysmal: It involves sporadic outbreaks of violent, unmanageable coughing. The person struggles to breathe and may throw up. Paroxysmal coughs can be signs of asthma, pneumonia, COPD, tuberculosis and whooping cough. 

• An adult with a cough should seek medical help if he (or she) is:
• coughing up blood.
• coughing for more than eight weeks.
• too feeble to walk or talk.
• intensely dehydrated.
• running a temperature of more than 100.4 degrees.
• making a “whooping” sound while having an extreme coughing attack.
• wheezing while coughing
• experiencing stomach-acid reflux or heartburn every day.

If you have concerns about the cough of your own or the cough of a family member or loved one, look no further than Carnegie Hill Pediatrics. Call us today to make an appointment.. We look forward to helping you! And learn more about Carnegie Hill Pediatrics on Facebook and Yelp