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COUGHING

Coughing is the body's defense mechanism for clearing the airways of inhaled particles or secretions. Persistent coughing may be due to infection or inflammation in the lungs or to the effects of irritants such as tobacco smoke. Persistent coughing should be investigated by your doctor.

WARNING: Coughing Up Blood - If you cough up sputum that contains streaks of blood on one occasion only, the most likely cause is a small tear in the lining of the windpipe; if you are feeling well, you need not be concerned. However, if you have more than one such episode, there may be a more serious cause; you should see a doctor without delay.

Recommended Product:
Charak product for Cough>>Kofol;
Charak product for Asthma>>Spasma

Recommended Therapy:
Kaval, Gandush

How long have you had a cough?

A week or less

Do you have a fever - a temperature of 100^oF (38^oC) or above?

Fever

Are you having either of the following problems with breathing?

Breathing is painful

POSSIBLE CAUSE

PNEUMONIA may be the cause of these symptoms.

MEDICAL HELP

URGENT! Call your doctor immediately!

You are short of breath

Neither

Have you coughed up sputum?

Sputum

POSSIBLE CAUSE

ACUTE BRONCHITIS is a possibility.

MEDICAL HELP

Call your doctor within 24 hrs.

No Sputum

POSSIBLE CAUSES

A viral illness such as a severe COMMON COLD or INFLUENZA is a likely cause of your cough.

SELF HELP

Follow the self-help advice for BRINGING DOWN A FEVER. Consult your doctor if you are no better in 2 days, or if other symptoms develop.

No Fever

Is it possible that you may have inhaled any of the following?

Particle of food

POSSIBLE CAUSE

Coughing is the body's natural response to a foreign body that has lodged in the lungs.

MEDICAL HELP

Call your doctor if the cough has not subsided within 2 hrs.

Tobacco smoke

POSSIBLE CAUSE

Being in a smoky atmosphere can irritate the lungs.

SELF HELP

Move into a well-ventilated area. Call your doctor if you become breathless or develop other symptoms.

Dust, fumes or smoke from a fire

POSSIBLE CAUSE

Severe inflammation of the respiratory tract can occur as a result of breathing in any of these substances.

MEDICAL HELP

URGENT! Call your doctor immediately!

None of the above

Do you have either of the following symptoms?

Runny nose

POSSIBLE CAUSE

COMMON COLD is the probable cause of your cough.

SELF HELP

STEAM INHALATION may help. Consult your doctor if your breathing becomes painful or you start to wheeze, if you are no better in 2 days, or if other symptoms develop.

Sore throat

Neither

POSSIBLE CAUSES

A cough without any other symptoms may be caused by ASTHMA. CHRONIC HEART FAILURE is a less likely possibility.

MEDICAL HELP

Make an appointment to see your doctor.

Over a week

Are you coughing up sputum?

Sputum

Are you a smoker?

Smoker

POSSIBLE CAUSES

A persistent smoker's cough that produces sputum may be due to CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE or in rare cases, to PRIMARY LUNG CANCER.

MEDICAL HELP

Make an appointment to see your doctor.

Non-smoker

If you cannot identify a possible cause for your cough from this chart, make an appointment to see your doctor.

No Sputum

Are you taking any prescribed medication?

Medication

POSSIBLE CAUSE

Your symptoms may be a side effect of the medication.

MEDICAL HELP

Make an appointment to see your doctor. Continue to take the medication unless advised to stop by your doctor.

No Medication

POSSIBLE CAUSES

A persistent dry cough may be due to GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX, ASTHMA or exposure to irritants in your workplace. However, the slight possibility of PRIMARY LUNG CANCER needs to be excluded.

MEDICAL HELP

Make an appointment to see your doctor.


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