Should You Worry About A Cough
Most coughs are nothing to worry about. But sometimes they can be a sign of something more serious. To help you determine when to see a doctor, here are a few warning signs that you shouldn’t ignore a cough.
Your cough won’t go away
If you have a cough for over three weeks, it can be worth getting yourself checked out by a doctor. You may just have a nasty cold, but it’s possible it could also be a chest infection – which could require prescription steroids to treat. It may even be a sign of something even more serious. By consulting a medical professional, you can undergo tests and determine whether a persistent cough is a concern.
You’re coughing up blood
Coughing up blood should always be a red flag. It’s a sign that your lungs or airways are irritated and bleeding, which could be very dangerous. Lung cancer is a possibility, but this may not always be the cause. Seeing a doctor will help to confirm the source of the problem – you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you notice any specks of blood in your phlegm. If you’re coughing up a lot of blood, call an ambulance.
You’re having difficulty breathing
A cough combined with difficulty breathing could just be a bad cold. However, it could also be an infection, asthma, pneumonia or another lung condition. If you’re wheezing and struggling to breathe properly, you should book an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. If you’re gasping for air, call an ambulance.
You’ve got chest pain
A number of respiratory issues can cause a cough and chest pain. You may have bronchitis, which can cause a cough and chest pain alongside wheezing. Pneumonia could be a more serious diagnosis – a fever along with a cough and chest pain should not be ignored. Heart disease is also a potential cause – a tightness and pressure in the chest that is accompanied by a cough could be an early sign. Seeing a doctor is advised if you experience any type of chest pain. It may not always be something serious, but it’s good to get yourself checked out just in case.
You’ve experienced unexplained weight loss
Been experiencing unexplained weight loss alongside a persistent cough? This is a potential symptom of cancer and should not be ignored. Of course, there are other potential causes – the weight loss and cough may not be connected. However, it’s important to get tested just in case.
Look out for the above symptoms
You don’t want to be panicking every time you get a cough, however it is also important that you don’t ignore a cough when it could be something more serious. Looking out for the above accompanying symptoms and consider booking an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of them. You will usually be able to arrange an appointment quite quickly if you have these symptoms, so that you can take action quickly to treat whatever may be causing your cough.
Local News Via - MyrtleBeachSC.com
