First-Line Atezolizumab plus Chemotherapy in Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer
After 25 Years, A Chronic Cough Clinic Provides Answers
Chronic cough is a persistent cough that lasts for at least eight weeks, and often much longer. Although cough is a common symptom of many lung diseases, chronic cough can't always be linked to another disease or condition, and it often doesn't respond to treatment. A chronic cough can impact your quality of life and, depending on the severity, can result in a variety of physical and mental symptoms including vomiting, muscle pain, rib fractures, fatigue, depression and more.
Lisa had been living with a chronic cough for more than 25 years. She recalls it starting in college when she had acute bronchitis. At that time, the cough lasted for eight weeks. Almost every year after that whenever she had a cold, the cough would come back and each time it would linger longer until 2017 when the cough didn't go away.
Q: What was your road to diagnosis like?A: It took over 25 years total to finally get a diagnosis. I saw countless specialists and had just about every test that you can imagine. I saw primary healthcare providers, gastroenterologists, allergists, ENTs, speech therapists and pulmonologists. I was tested for asthma, allergies and various lung diseases. I had blood tests, chest CT scans, lung x-rays, endoscopies and much more. Another challenge was taking time off work to go to all the appointments, but fortunately, I had good health insurance so I could see all these different specialists.
Q: What was the turning point in your journey?A: The real difference occurred when I stopped living in a silo with all the specialists I saw. For years I would go to one specialist and then another. None of the specialists communicated with each other. I felt like I always had to be the driver in this journey. I started going to a cough clinic and the multi-disciplinary team worked together to figure out what was wrong with me. It helped that for once, I didn't have to feel like I was controlling everything.
Q: What is it like to live with a chronic cough?Bronchitis Treatment: A Comprehensive Guide
Bronchitis is when your bronchial tubes, which carry oxygen from your windpipe to your lungs, become inflamed. The lining of the tubes makes mucus, which makes your cough worse. The condition can also cause wheezing and make it hard to catch your breath.
To know whether you have bronchitis and not an allergy or other problem, you should see your doctor. They may test you for COVID-19, which has some of the same symptoms.
Many cases go away on their own with rest and self-care. If not, bronchitis treatment may require medications such as cough suppressants or inhalers. In more serious cases, you might need further treatment, such as oxygen therapy.
Bronchitis treatment includes rest, lots of fluids, and sometimes medication. (Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images)
If you recently had a cold that turned into a nagging cough, you might have acute bronchitis. (In medical terms, "acute" means conditions that come on quickly and last a short time). A virus is the most common cause of this type of bronchitis. It usually lasts anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks and goes away on its own with rest and self-care.
If you have a cough with mucus most days of the month for at least 3 months a year, you might have chronic bronchitis. This is long-term irritation of your bronchial tubes and is often caused by smoking or exposure to air pollutants. It's considered a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
There's no cure for chronic bronchitis, which may lead to permanent lung damage. But ongoing treatment can help you manage its symptoms. Chronic bronchitis treatment usually involves a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.
Important ways you can improve your lung health include:
Those steps are important if you think you have acute bronchitis, too.
When you see your doctor, be ready to talk about your symptoms in detail. You should be able to answer:
At the appointment, your doctor will go over your symptoms and give you a physical exam. They'll listen to your chest with a stethoscope while you cough. This may be enough for them to make an acute bronchitis diagnosis.
You may not need any tests. But in some cases, you might need one or more.
To make a chronic bronchitis diagnosis, your doctor will also give you a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and health history.
They'll also do a test to see how well your lungs are working, called a pulmonary function test. You may have other tests as well.
Here are some of the tests your doctor might order:
Pulse oximetry. This uses a device on the end of your finger to measure oxygen levels in your blood.
Chest X-ray. If you have a fever or had one recently, this can help rule out or confirm pneumonia.
Nasal swab. This type of test is done to rule out COVID-19 or flu as the cause of your symptoms.
Blood tests. Your doctor may test a sample of your blood for infections or other indicators of health problems.
Sputum culture. If your symptoms are serious, your doctor might get a sample of the mucus you cough up (sputum). A lab test can tell whether the mucus is caused by an allergy or whooping cough (pertussis), which is a very contagious bacterial infection. Serious symptoms may also mean another test.
Spirometry. This is a test of your lung function. You blow into a machine called a spirometer, which measures how much air your lungs can hold and how quickly you can blow it all out. This also helps your doctor see whether you have signs of asthma or emphysema.
Don't be surprised if your doctor simply recommends rest and lots of fluids. A bout of acute bronchitis will often fade away on its own. Letting your body rest and drinking plenty of fluids may help it disappear more quickly.
Medicines for bronchitis
If you do need medicine for bronchitis, your doctor might recommend one or more of these to ease your symptoms:
Over-the-counter pain relievers. Medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen, and naproxen reduce fever and body aches.
Cough suppressants. Your doctor will only suggest these if you're not bringing up mucus anymore. If you are, it means your body is still clearing your airways.
Antiviral medicine. Your doctor might prescribe this if the flu is causing your bronchitis. If you take it soon after getting sick, it can keep symptoms mild and speed recovery.
Bronchodilators. These medications relax the muscles surrounding your airways, which helps open them. They come in short-acting and long-acting forms. You can take them by tablet, nebulizer, or inhaler.
Inhalers for bronchitis. Most bronchodilators are taken in an inhaler. Some inhalers contain corticosteroids to reduce swelling in your lungs. Your doctor might prescribe an inhaler for bronchitis if your condition is chronic or if you also have allergies or asthma, both of which can narrow your airways.
Bronchitis home remedies
In addition to getting plenty of rest, you might try:
How to treat chronic bronchitis
If you have chronic bronchitis, the most important step is to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, avoiding secondhand smoke, and getting regular exercise.
Along with bronchodilator medication and vaccines to protect you from flu and pneumonia, your doctor may suggest:
Oxygen therapy. You might get extra oxygen all the time or only when needed.
Pulmonary rehabilitation. This therapy is aimed at improving the health of people with breathing problems. You'll learn exercises to improve your breathing. Your treatment may also include psychological counseling and nutrition guidance.
A lung transplant. This may be an option if you have very serious chronic bronchitis that hasn't responded to other treatments.
Antibiotics are powerful medicines that treat bacterial infections. But acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection. Antibiotics don't help with a virus.
If your doctor thinks the cause is bacteria, they might prescribe antibiotics.
If so, be sure to take the full prescription of antibiotics. Even if you feel better, the infection could still be in your system. You want to make sure you kill all the bacteria on the first try.
Even with treatment for acute bronchitis, your cough may last a few more weeks. It should become milder and drier as the days go by. You may also feel tired for a while longer. Plan to get rest. Don't expect to have a lot of energy right away.
If your cough doesn't improve and you continue to feel sick, see your doctor again. It could be a bacterial infection after all. Or you might have other breathing problems that could be delaying your recovery from acute bronchitis.
While there's no cure for chronic bronchitis, treatment can improve your symptoms and reduce how many flare-ups you have.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which take oxygen from your windpipe to your lungs. Depending on what type you have, treatment may involve rest and self-care, lifestyle changes, or medication. See your doctor if you have wheezing or a cough that won't go away.
How long does bronchitis last without treatment?
Acute bronchitis usually gets better within 2 weeks, but full recovery could take up to 6 weeks. Chronic bronchitis never goes away completely.
What is the best medicine for bronchitis?
There's no specific medicine that treats acute bronchitis itself. Over-the-counter pain relievers and cough suppressants can help relieve symptoms. But don't take cough suppressants while your lungs are still clearing mucus.
If you have chronic bronchitis, your doctor may prescribe bronchodilator medication. You could also get a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation in your lungs.
How do you stop a bronchitis cough fast?
Drinking plenty of liquids and breathing moist air (from a humidifier or in a warm shower) can help ease your coughing. Ask your doctor if you should take a cough suppressant.
Does vapor rub help with bronchitis?
Mentholated vapor rubs can help ease coughing and may bring some relief for that symptom of bronchitis. But don't use them on babies or toddlers unless you check with a pediatrician first.
Does bronchitis get worse at night?
Coughing is often worse at night. When you lie down, gravity causes mucus to pool in the back of your throat. This leads to coughing. You may also notice coughing more at night because it keeps you awake.
What Causes A Lingering Cough? Plus 3 Home Remedies To Try
A lingering cough can result from many conditions, including bronchitis or chronic allergies. Some medications and natural remedies, such as drinking tea with honey, may help.
When you're sick or your lungs have become irritated, your body reacts by coughing.
This is your body's defense mechanism to clear out any mucus, allergens, or pollutants so that you don't keep breathing them in.
There are three types of coughs, which vary by duration:
A cough can clear up in as few as 2 or 3 days, but one study found that the median duration of a cough caused by an illness is about 9 to 11 days.
Keep reading to learn more about why a cough can linger and what you can do to feel better.
Bronchitis is a type of infection that causes the airways of the lungs, known as the bronchi, to become irritated and inflamed.
This can cause a hacking cough, which may also bring up clear, green, or yellow-gray mucus. It can also cause symptoms similar to a common cold, including:
Symptoms typically improve after 3 weeks, but see a healthcare professional if your cough lasts longer.
Risk factors, such as smoking and exposure to fumes, chemicals, or pollutants, can increase your risk of developing chronic bronchitis, which can lead to a chronic cough.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria.
Coughing is a common symptom of pneumonia and may be dry or produce green, yellow, or bloody mucus.
Other possible symptoms of pneumonia include:
Symptoms typically last 2 to 4 weeks.
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, causing them to become swollen and inflamed. It also makes the lungs more likely to be affected by irritants or allergens, which can lead to coughing.
In some cases, a chronic cough may be the only symptom of asthma. This is known as cough variant asthma. It usually requires taking prescription asthma medications, such as an inhaler, to experience relief from the cough.
Allergies may cause the airways to become irritated, resulting in a chronic dry cough.
Allergy-related coughing may be worse in certain seasons or environments. For instance, environmental irritants like pollen, dander, mold, and grass may trigger coughing.
It may also accompany other symptoms such as:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, occurs when the stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, leading to heartburn, nausea, and difficulty swallowing.
This condition can also create a prolonged irritation in your throat, resulting in an ongoing cough.
Certain types of medications may carry a side effect of persistent coughing. These include:
Smoking can irritate the throat, resulting in a chronic cough.
It can also worsen or prolong symptoms of many issues that cause coughing, including asthma and respiratory infections.
Additionally, exposure to secondhand smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that blocks airflow and can cause difficulty breathing. Smoking, exposure to air pollutants, and genetic factors are thought to be involved in its development.
Frequent coughing is one of the most common symptoms of COPD, along with wheezing, excess mucus production, and shortness of breath.
Lung cancer can cause coughing that doesn't go away or worsens over time.
Some people may also experience chest pain, wheezing, shortness of breath, or unintentional weight loss, while others may not notice any symptoms until the cancer is advanced.
If your only symptom is a lingering cough and you feel otherwise healthy, monitor its duration.
The United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) recommends seeing a healthcare professional if your cough lasts 3 weeks or longer, especially if you also experience:
You may need prescription treatment or diagnostic testing to determine the cause of your symptoms.
In children and babiesIf your child has a lingering cough, pay careful attention to the sound of the cough.
Any whistling, barking, or wheezing with a cough may indicate whooping cough (pertussis). This is a serious infection that can be life threatening, especially for infants.
Get immediate medical attention for severe coughing accompanied by a fever or shortness of breath. Infants younger than age 1 year should see a pediatrician if they have a cough to rule out pertussis or other serious lung conditions.
Pertussis coughing fits may last up to 10 weeks.
If a child experiences a cough with no other symptoms, contact a doctor if the cough lasts longer than 2 to 3 weeks.
A chronic cough can bring complications that lead to other health conditions. Coughing fits can:
Coughing can even lead to passing out if it's severe and ongoing.
Some natural remedies for chronic cough may help relieve your symptoms. However, these shouldn't replace any treatments or medications a doctor recommends.
Peppermint tea with honeyPeppermint tea has been studied for its relaxing effect on various body systems. It may help calm your respiratory system and bring relief from persistent coughing.
It can also be combined with honey, which has been shown to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Thyme and ivy leafIn one study, an herbal preparation of thyme and ivy leaf was found to decrease cough severity and improve health-related quality of life.
Thyme and ivy essential oils can be inhaled through a diffuser at home or purchased as a tincture at a local health food store.
BromelainBromelain is found in pineapple and is often obtained from the stem rather than the fruit of the pineapple.
In some animal studies, bromelain has been shown to help with allergic irritation to the airways. Taking it as a supplement may help with a cough due to allergies.
What does it mean if I have a cough that won't go away?A cough that lasts longer than 8 weeks may be a symptom of several conditions, including asthma, allergies, acid reflux, or some respiratory conditions. It could also be caused by smoking or the use of certain medications.
How long is too long for a cough?If you experience a persistent cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks, speak with a healthcare professional, especially if you experience symptoms like bloody mucus, shortness of breath, fever, or unintentional weight loss.
How to get rid of a stubborn cough?Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated is typically recommended to help ease coughing. You can also try natural remedies, such as peppermint tea with honey, or talk with a healthcare professional about medication options.
How do I know if my cough is serious?Speak with a healthcare professional if your cough lasts at least 3 weeks or you experience other symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, chest pain, fever, and bloody mucus.
A cough that won't go away can be uncomfortable, but it can usually be treated at home. Coughing that lasts 8 weeks or more is considered chronic. You may require prescription treatment or further evaluation.
Some symptoms, such as bloody mucus, wheezing, or shortness of breath, need to be addressed by a doctor.
Always get medical care for symptoms interrupting your sleep or interfering with your daily activities.
Comments
Post a Comment