Chronic Cough Treatment in Annapolis, MD
What is a Chronic Cough?
Coughing from time to time helps clear particles and secretions from the lungs and helps to prevent infection. A chronic cough is a cough that will not go away. This period of time is typically more than eight weeks for longer or adults and four weeks or longer for children.
The pulmonologists at Annapolis Asthma Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating patients with a chronic cough throughout the Annapolis area. Our board-certified pulmonologists will take the time to fully evaluate your cough in order to determine the treatment option that best suits your condition. To schedule a consultation at our pulmonary office in Annapolis, MD, please call (410) 266-1644 today.
What Symptoms Occur with a Chronic Cough?
Other symptoms that may accompany a cough include:
- Runny or stuffy nose or dripping down your throat (postnasal drip)
- Sore throat
- Frequent throat clearing
- Hoarseness
- Wheezing
- Heartburn
- Shortness of breath
These symptoms can lead to underlying issues like asthma, allergies, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and many others. If you are a smoker or often exposed to smoke, it can also lead to a chronic cough.
Why Seek Treatment for a Chronic Cough?
If you have suffered from a cough for several weeks, it is important to seek help.
Coughing frequently is embarrassing, can make you physically tired, make it hard to sleep, and cause you to be dizzy, hoarse, strain muscles, sweat, and leak urine (especially in women).
Through diagnostic testing, your provider can help determine the underlying cause for your cough and help you get the relief you need. You may need a chest x-ray, lung function test, a scope, or other scans to help determine the cause of your chronic cough.
What Treatment is Available for Chronic Cough?
Our pulmonologists will work with you to determine the best treatment for your chronic cough. The treatment plan will likely be decided after a careful look at your symptoms, lifestyle, and test results.
Medications used to treat chronic cough may include:
- Antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants – These drugs are standard treatment for allergies and postnasal drip.
- Inhaled asthma drugs – These help reduce inflammation and open up your airways.
- Antibiotics – These help if a bacterial, fungal or mycobacterial infection is causing your chronic cough.
- Acid blockers – When lifestyle changes don’t take care of acid reflux, you may be treated with medications that block acid production. Some people need surgery to resolve the problem.
- Cough suppressants– During the time Annapolis Asthma Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists is determining the reason for your cough and beginning treatment, your pulmonologist may give you something to relieve your coughing.
- Lifestyle changes – You may need to make some lifestyle changes to help get you relief for your coughing. This may include quitting smoking, changing your work environment, increasing moisture in the air, drinking fluids, sucking on cough drops or hard candies, or other ways to ease the mucus in your throat.
Schedule Your Consultation for Chronic Cough Treatment in Annapolis, MD
If you are living with a chronic cough, contact Annapolis Asthma, Pulmonary & Sleep Specialists to speak with our pulmonary specialists for a one-on-one consultation. To schedule a consultation for chronic cough treatment, please call (410) 266-1644 to schedule your appointment at our pulmonary treatment center in Annapolis, MD.