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Respiratory

Cough

Cough is one of the most common symptoms for which patients seek health care.

How long a patient experience coughing can help diagnosis

Acute (< 3 weeks)	Subacute ( 3-8 weeks)	Chronic (>8 weeks)
Acute respiratory infection (viral or bacterial infection, bronchitis, sinusitis, allergies)	Asthma	Asthma
Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or Asthma	chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)	gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Allergies	gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)	Infection such Pertussis, atypical pneumonia
Pneumonia	postnasal drainage	chronic bronchitis (almost always smokers)
Pulmonary embolism	chronic bronchitis	Bronchiectasis ( viscid sputum, bronchial wall thickening on CT imaging)
Medication such as Lisinopril, occurs mostly 1-3 weeks after starting	heart failure	Lung cancer
	foreign body in the ear canal
	chronic sinusitis
	cystic fibrosis

Although most cough are a symptom of minor upper respiratory infection (URI’s), such as the common cold, is it important to seek medical attention to determine the source of your cough. Some warning signs to consider includes:

I) Are you short of breath?

II) Do you have a history of heart failure?

III) Do you have history of asthma?

IV) Do you have or have you had a fever or experience chills?

V) Does eating affect your cough?

VI) Does exercise affect your cough?

VII) What does your cough sound like?

VIII) Do you cough up sputum? What color? Does it have an odor?

IX) What time of the day do you experience coughing? Coughs that awaken persons at night are frequently associated with GERD, heart failure and asthma. A sever cough in the early morning indicates postnasal drip, cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis.

Asthma

Asthma is a reversible chronic inflammatory airways disease that causes difficulty breathing. Symptoms include dry cough, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Stacey Michelin says that asthma is a recurrent airway disease that can be triggered by allergens, infection and pollution.

“Asthma symptoms are also predicable; patient often experience similar symptoms with repeated exposure to various triggers.”.

Common symptoms of asthma include: