These days, everyone is hyper vigilant about checking for symptoms – whether you’ve got a tickly cough, a slightly sore throat, or a headache, you’ve likely already checked yourself for fever and are monitoring your symptoms accordingly. Because we’re in the middle of Spring, many of these symptoms can be attributed to allergies from pollen and other blooming plants.
Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio
Still, you may be concerned about a nagging cough and wonder when it’s time to call a doctor to get a breathing test done? Below we’ve outlined a few things that may mean your cough is more than just Springtime hay fever.
Spasmodic Coughs
A dry cough can often be a sign of regular old allergies, but if you find that your coughs bring on spasms and that you can’t physically stop yourself from coughing, especially when you’re lying down, you may have an underlying issue that is causing the cough. If over the counter cough medications don’t work, perhaps calling a cough specialist is a good idea.
Coughing Things Up
One of the main symptoms of Covid-19 is a dry cough, but if you find yourself coughing up mucus or even blood, you may have another illness such as the flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Medications like Mucinex and other expectorants can help bring up mucus from the chest and lungs and give you some relief, but if you’re coughing up a lot of stuff that has you concerned, call your doctor.
Crackling in the Chest/Wheezing
If you hear crackling sounds in your chest, whistling sounds, wheezing or other strange sounds coming from your chest and lungs, you should call a healthcare professional. These can be signs of bronchitis, or the more serious pneumonia.
Fever
A cough that is accompanied by a fever, headaches, chest aches, chills or body/muscle/joint pain can all be signs of the flu or another virus or infection. Monitor your fever, and if it goes above a low-grade fever and doesn’t go down when you take over the counter fever reducers (such as Tylenol), you should probably contact your healthcare provider.
Trouble Breathing/Shortness of Breath
If you’re having shortness of breath, it could be down to allergy-induced asthma. If taking a puff on your inhaler doesn’t help, and you’re still experiencing shortness of breath, pain when you inhale, or you can’t seem to get adequate breaths, call a doctor immediately. If you feel lightheaded or notice your skin turning blue, or it’s getting harder and harder to breathe, call the emergency services ASAP.
These are just a few signs that your cough may be more than just a simple cough. Contacting your doctor when in doubt is always a good idea, to rule out any serious illness, to get diagnosed and begin treatment. The best course of action is to not panic, know the warning signs and symptoms of serious illnesses, and to contact your healthcare provider if you notice symptoms getting worse or more severe. Stay calm and call that doctor!
This is a collaborative post
