Cough

When you have a cough that doesn’t go away, it may be a warning sign of asthma or other serious conditions. At AssociatesMD, diagnostic testing is available in-office to determine the cause of your cough. The experienced medical team creates a treatment plan to address your existing cough and the condition causing it, so you breathe easier. Call the office in Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Weston, Margate, Dania Beach, or Fort Lauderdale, Florida, today to schedule a visit. You can also book an appointment online.

What causes a cough?

A cough is a reflexive action that your body uses to clear irritants and other debris from your airway and throat. A cough that produces mucus or phlegm is known as a wet or productive cough. If no phlegm is present, your cough is considered dry or nonproductive.

Acute coughs tend to last for 2-3 weeks and can result from viral infections, post-nasal drip, or allergies. Chronic coughs might last eight weeks or longer and be a symptom of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other serious medical conditions.

AssociatesMD offers personalized care for coughs and their underlying causes. The experienced physicians use the latest diagnostic technologies to identify what triggers an acute or chronic cough and create a treatment plan to ease an existing cough and prevent it from getting worse.

When should I seek medical care for a cough?

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at AssociatesMD if you have a cough that lasts for several weeks and isn’t treatable with over-the-counter medications.

You should also schedule an appointment with the medical team if you have symptoms that accompany a cough, such as:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Excessive mucus
• High fever

The providers review your medical history and current health. They also listen to your lungs with a stethoscope and may order a chest X-ray or other tests to check for infection or inflammation.

How is a cough treated?

A cough that results from a cold or the flu typically goes away on its own. You should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and thin out the mucus in your sinuses. Lozenges can also calm a cough and prevent throat irritation.

If you have a chronic cough because of COPD or asthma, the AssociatesMD medical team may prescribe medications to better manage your condition. You might also benefit from supplemental oxygen to help you breathe easier.

The providers can also suggest lifestyle changes to reduce your exposure to allergens, chemicals, and other environmental irritants. If you smoke, the team can provide smoking cessation resources that help you quit for good.

Call the AssociatesMD office near you today to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for a persistent cough or book an appointment online.