| Persistent cough, lasting eight weeks or more, can indicate various underlying conditions. |
| A chronic cough is a more difficult diagnosis. Identifying patient profiles with long-lasting episodes of cough involves understanding various factors.1 |
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Here are 8 traits to identify patients with prolonged, burdensome coughs.
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| Initial Physical Examination of the Patient |
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Check for abnormal sounds in the lungs and look for signs of infection or other conditions. |
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| Previous Infections/Diseases, Allergies |
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Get detailed information on any infections that caused cough, any allergies or seasonal bouts. |
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| Red flags |
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Ask patients about any glaring symptoms like coughing up blood or shortness of breath. |
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| History, Including Smoking Status, Environmental Exposures |
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Smoking: Current or former smokers are more prone to chronic cough. |
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Environmental Exposures: Exposure to pollutants, dust, chemicals, or second-hand smoke. |
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Occupational Hazards: Jobs involving exposure to irritants (e.g., construction, mining). |
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| Medication Use |
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ACE Inhibitors: Certain blood pressure medications are known to cause a persistent cough. |
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Immunosuppressants: Use of medications that affect immune function can lead to prolonged cough due to infections. |
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| Patient Complaints |
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Prolonged coughing frequently manifests as post-nasal drip and can lead to sleep disorders such as apnea. |
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| Visible Symptoms |
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Probe for prolonged symptoms like runny/stuffed nose, frequent throat clearing, sore throat, hoarseness. |
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| Chronic Conditions |
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Identifying any chronic underlying conditions is essential. Asthma, GERD, and COPD are common causes of persistent cough. |
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Cough is one of the most
common complaints,
accounting for ~30 million
clinical visits, of which
40% of cases are referred
to pulmonologists1
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| 1. Cough Xpert Insights Landing Page_V1 copy - Cough Xpert Insights Landing Page_V1 copy.pdf |
| 2. Chronic cough. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-cough/symptoms-causes/syc-20351575; accessed on July 3, 2024. |
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