Understanding Cough: Causes and When to See a Doctor

What Is a Cough?

A cough is a natural reflex that helps clear your airways of mucus, irritants, or foreign particles. While an occasional cough is normal, persistent or chronic coughs can indicate underlying health issues requiring medical attention.

At Vibhavadi Hospital, our pulmonology and internal medicine specialists provide advanced diagnostic services and targeted treatments for both acute and chronic coughs.

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Types of Cough

1. Acute Cough

Typically lasts less than 3 weeks and is usually caused by infections like the common cold or flu.

2. Subacute Cough

Lasts 3 to 8 weeks and may follow a respiratory infection.

3. Chronic Cough

Lasts longer than 8 weeks. Often signals more serious issues such as asthma, GERD, or chronic bronchitis.

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Common Causes of Cough

Respiratory Causes

• Viral infections (e.g., cold, flu)

• Bronchitis or pneumonia

• Asthma

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Tuberculosis (TB)

Non-respiratory Causes

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Postnasal drip

• ACE inhibitors (used to treat hypertension)

• Smoking

• Allergies or pollutants

Serious Conditions

• Lung cancer

• Heart failure

• Pulmonary fibrosis

Early diagnosis is key to ruling out severe causes and starting effective treatment.

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Symptoms Associated with Cough

Depending on the cause, a cough may be:

• Dry or productive (with mucus)

• Accompanied by wheezing or chest tightness

• Worse at night or after meals

• Accompanied by fever, fatigue, or shortness of breath

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Cough lasting more than 2–3 weeks

• Blood in mucus

• Weight loss

• Night sweats

• Chest pain

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Diagnosis Services at Vibhavadi Hospital

Our expert physicians follow a systematic approach to accurately identify the cause of your cough.

Diagnostic Tools Include:

• Chest X-ray or CT scan: To detect pneumonia, tumors, or fibrosis

• Pulmonary function tests: For asthma or COPD

• Sputum analysis: To detect bacterial infections or TB

• Allergy testing: If an allergic cause is suspected

• Upper GI endoscopy: For GERD-related cough

• Blood tests: To check for infections or immune-related conditions

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Cough Treatment Options at Vibhavadi Hospital

1. Medication

• Antitussives: Suppress dry coughs

• Expectorants: Help loosen mucus in productive coughs

• Antibiotics: For bacterial infections

• Inhalers or bronchodilators: For asthma or COPD

• Antihistamines and nasal sprays: For allergy-related cough

• Proton-pump inhibitors: For GERD-induced cough

2. Respiratory Therapy

• Breathing exercises

• Nebulization therapy

• Airway clearance techniques

3. Lifestyle and Environmental Management

• Smoking cessation programs

• Humidifiers and air filters

• Dietary adjustments for GERD

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Specialist Care at Vibhavadi Hospital

Our Respiratory and Internal Medicine Center offers multidisciplinary care from:

• Pulmonologists

• ENT specialists

• Allergists

• Gastroenterologists

Each patient receives a customized treatment plan based on their symptoms and underlying condition.

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When to See a Doctor

Visit a doctor immediately if you have:

• A cough lasting longer than 2 weeks

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing

• High fever

• Coughing up blood

• A history of smoking or underlying respiratory illness

Delaying care may lead to complications or mask more serious diseases.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

Insurance Plans Accepted

• Government healthcare schemes (Social Security, Civil Servant)

• Private insurance

• International health insurance

Price Estimates

• Transparent billing system

• Cost estimates provided before all diagnostic tests and treatments

• Health check-up packages available, including respiratory screening

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