Coughing up phlegm should i see a doctor

Parsons says he sees the condition frequently, and patients typically start coughing when they lie down in bed. The painful cough will go away when the acid reflux is treated with medication. Your cold, infection or allergies sometimes have the no-fun accompaniment of constant drainage on the back of your throat from your sinuses. Parsons says.

People with asthma might hear a sound similar to a whistle or a wheeze when they cough. With asthma, your airways become inflamed and swollen, causing shortness of breath. Parsons, whose primary clinical interest is treating asthma through the Ohio State Asthma Center.

The condition is diagnosed easily with a lung function test. A class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure called ACE inhibitors, which stands for angiotension-converting enzyme, is a well-known cause of dry, chronic cough as a side effect.

The doctor could try an alternative ACE inhibitor or a different type of heart medication. If your cough — wet or dry — is persistent for more than three to four weeks, get evaluated by a doctor or nurse, who might order a chest X-ray or lung function test.

The same advice applies to children. The highly contagious bacterial infection, also called pertussis, has been more prevalent in recent years in children and adults. In the beginning, the infection has a similar effect as a normal cold, causing stuffy nose, body aches and coughing. After a few days, however, these symptoms can get worse, adding nausea, vomiting, persistent fever and a cough so strong it might be difficult to catch your breath or to sleep, Dr.

Parsons explains. Children also tend to become grumpy. Pertussis can be treated with antibiotics. Make a Cough Clinic appointment with Dr. Parsons or another pulmonologist.

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Thick, green or yellow phlegm coming up with coughs can be a symptom of various sicknesses. You may want to consider seeing a doctor if you experience this. Coughing up blood or even pink-tinted phlegm is cause for immediate concern. Patients who experience these symptoms should visit a doctor as soon as possible. A cough all by itself is usually more or less harmless. If it is accompanied by other symptoms, you should probably see a doctor.

Head to urgent care or a primary care doctor if you have a cough and also:. Coughs can be annoying. If you find yourself unable to sleep or work because of a cough, try taking over the counter cough medicine. Any sickness that prevents you from completing your daily tasks is serious enough to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Coughs that come with colds and those caused by pneumonia or bronchitis feel different. It is easier to determine this for yourself if you have had one of these diseases before. Symptoms of bronchitis include:. Asthma can also cause coughing. Call to schedule an appointment, or just walk in any weekday from 7 a. Computed Tomography Scan. Blood Pressure Check. Fitness for Duty Exam.

Basic Coagulation Testing. Annual Check Up.