Cough and Cold

What causes coughs and colds?

Colds are viruses you catch from others with the infection. They cause familiar symptoms that include:

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Fatigue
• High temperature
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping

Coughs are a common symptom of colds and other respiratory tract infections that typically resolve themselves as you recover from the illness.

Why am I coughing when I don’t have a cold?

If you smoke, a cough could be due to chronic bronchitis or, in a few cases, lung cancer. In nonsmokers, coughing is most likely due to one of the following:

Postnasal drip

Postnasal drip is the leading cause of chronic coughs. It occurs when your nasal mucosa produces too much mucus, which then drips down your throat and irritates it. Postnasal drip could be due to allergies, sinusitis, nasal polyps, or nonallergic rhinitis.

Asthma

Asthma that causes a cough is known as cough-variant asthma. It’s less common than the type of asthma that causes wheezing.

Medications

Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors treat high blood pressure and heart conditions. They sometimes cause a chronic cough.

Another increasingly well-recognized cause of chronic coughs is laryngeal pharyngeal reflux (LPR). This condition results from stomach acid flowing back up the esophagus into the larynx (voice box).

Whooping cough is fortunately far less common now, thanks to immunization.

How are coughs and colds diagnosed?

Marie can diagnose a cold based on your symptoms. If they’re particularly severe or you have a high fever, she may recommend lab tests to determine which virus you have, as it could be the flu or COVID-19 rather than a cold.

Skin testing helps identify allergies, while spirometry or other breathing tests can detect lung disorders like asthma.

What treatments do coughs and colds require?

Rest, plenty of fluids, and a light, nutritious diet are the best cold treatments for most people. Marie might advise you to take acetaminophen to reduce a fever; over-the-counter cold remedies can make you more comfortable.

After a few days, cold and cough symptoms should improve. Contact Mamokant God Favor Healthcare if your symptoms don’t improve, become worse, or you develop a new problem, like a chesty cough that won’t shift. You might need prescription medication, like antibiotics, for a chest infection — Marie can send you the prescription electronically.

Call Mamokant God Favor Healthcare if you’re struggling with a cough or cold. You can also request an appointment online at any time.