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When to Worry About Your Cough

By Sara Butler

It's winter, which means for many people that a cough, even a lingering one, is here to keep you from sleeping well at night and feeling your best. Coughs are the biggest reason people go to the doctor this time of the year. The trick is understanding when your cough represents the vestiges of a nasty cold or if it's something more serious. Here's what you need to know about your cough -- when to wait it out and when you need to see a healthcare professional.

What's the Cause?

There are several reasons why you may have a cough. If you can figure out the cause behind a cough, then you're one step closer to figuring out if it's serious or not. The most common causes of cough are:

  • Asthma and allergies - Things such as mold and pollen (yes, even in winter) can cause a cough as your body attempts to expel them from your respiratory system.
  • Postnasal drip - When you're stuffy and mucus drips down your throat from your nose, it irritates your airway and causes a cough. This type of a cough can be the result of allergies, flu, sinus infections, and colds.
  • Acid reflux - If your stomach acid backs up into your throat, then it can irritate the tissues and cause a cough.
  • Viruses - Viruses often cause a productive cough that moves mucus out of your lungs when you're at the height of the illness. Dry coughs after infection can often linger for weeks, even when other symptoms have subsided.
  • Other problems - Other health issues such as lung inflammation, medications, and laryngitis can also be the cause of a cough.

When to Seek Help

Most coughs are incredibly annoying but ultimately harmless, going away on their own eventually. But if you don't know the cause of your cough or if you've been coughing for a few weeks with no improvement, then it's time to get help. You should also see a medical professional if you notice any of these symptoms along with your cough:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Wheezing
  • Choking

There's always a chance that a cough can be the symptom of something much more serious, so don't ignore or dismiss a cough assuming it'll pass on its own. Listen to your body and get help when something simply doesn't feel right.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in South Jordan, Utah.

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