When Is a Persistent Cough Worth Investigating?

A persistent cough can quickly become a bothersome symptom, especially if over-the-counter treatments aren’t working.

At Primary Care Walk-In Clinic, we offer urgent care services on a walk-in basis to address unexpected symptoms of an illness, including a chronic cough. Our experienced providers offer on-site diagnostic testing services and customized care plans to ease your cough as quickly as possible.

Why you can’t stop coughing

A cough is your body’s response to throat or airway irritation. The goal of a cough is to clear obstructions from your airway so that you can breathe well. The reflexive action can also move fluids out of your lungs.

There several types of coughs you can develop:

• Acute cough —  starts suddenly and can last for 2-3 weeks
• Chronic cough — tends to last longer than eight weeks
• Refractory cough — describes a chronic cough that isn’t responsive to treatments

Acute illnesses like colds and infections typically cause an acute cough. Underlying diseases like asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause a chronic or refractory cough.

When to seek medical care for a persistent cough

You should visit Primary Care Walk-In Clinic if you have a cough that lasts for several weeks and isn’t relieved with extra fluids, rest, and over-the-counter cough medicines.

You also need medical attention if you produce bloody or discolored phlegm during a cough or if you cough so much that you can’t get any sleep. Additionally, excessive coughing can lead to other complications, such as:

• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Urinary incontinence
• Dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath

If you have any of these issues, schedule an appointment or walk into the clinic for immediate care. We offer diagnostic testing services for the flu, COVID-19, and other infections to identify the cause of your cough. Our providers can also complete pulmonary function tests to diagnose conditions like asthma and COPD.

Based on your testing results, the physicians create a treatment plan to ease your cough and relieve related symptoms.

Exploring treatment options for a chronic cough

Your treatment plan for a chronic cough depends on its root cause. Home remedies you can use right away include sucking on cough drops, drinking plenty of water, and using a humidifier in your room to keep your airways moisturized.

If you have an infection, you may need antibiotics to clear it. The team may also recommend prescription cough relievers to help you stay asleep at night.

When your cough results from a chronic disease like asthma, we can discuss your options for managing it. Our physicians can also refer you to a specialist if you need additional care.

Our providers also offer resources you can use to prevent a recurrent cough, such as smoking cessation programs, diet and lifestyle changes, and good personal hygiene techniques to prevent illness.

Call the Primary Care Walk-In Clinic office near you, book a consultation online, or visit the clinic today to get a diagnosis for your chronic cough.