Did you know that coughing, wheezing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath could be signs of a serious medical issue? These symptoms can occur for many reasons, including heart disease, lung cancer, pneumonia, asthma, and bronchitis. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms for no obvious reason.
While some people might dismiss these symptoms as nothing more than “old man stuff,” there are times when they can indicate something much worse. Here are four things to look out for if you notice one or more of these symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing while lying down
- Feeling like you cannot catch your breath
- Chest pains
- A persistent cough
Coughing
A thick, wet cough can often signal the presence of a virus like influenza, the common cold, or bronchitis. If you also feel short of breath, it could indicate another lung problem called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.
People with COPD have airway inflammation that makes it hard for them to breathe. They usually experience symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and a persistent feeling of having something stuck in their throat.
Smoking is the biggest cause of COPD, but people exposed to secondhand smoke or inhaling pollution can develop the same problems.
In some cases, people with COPD may lose weight because their lungs do not function properly. Their muscles become weak and unable to move food into the digestive system. As a result, they may eat fewer calories than normal.
See a doctor if you have a dry cough that lasts longer than three weeks. You may have pneumonia, tuberculosis, or cancer.
Wheezing
Wheezing is the high-pitch, rough breathing sound you hear when you exhale. You might think it sounds funny, but it’s quite serious. If you have wheezing, your chest walls move inward while breathing out. This movement makes air pass through narrow tubes called bronchi. When you do this, tiny particles known as secretions clog up the tubes, making it hard for air to flow.
The cause of wheezing varies depending on what type of illness you have. The inflammation caused by allergies or infection can sometimes make the airways too tight. Other times, the narrowing happens because of scarring due to lung damage. Still, others have no clear reason why they suffer from wheezing.
Types of Coughs
There are many different kinds of coughs, and knowing what type you have can help you decide whether it is something you can treat yourself or whether you should seek medical attention. Here are some examples of each type of cough:
- Barky Cough: This is one of the most common types of cough, and it usually happens when someone inhales too much dust or smoke. Loud sounds like barking dogs characterize a barky cough. You might hear a “hah!” sound.
- Whooping Cough: This is another very common type of cough. It occurs when someone exhales forcefully through his/her nose and mouth while coughing. This causes a high-pitched “whoop,” similar to how a child makes the noise when he/she laughs.
- Wheezy Cough: This is a dry cough that often accompanies a cold. It is caused by mucus that gets stuck in the throat and chest. When you try to clear it out, you make a wheezing sound.
- Dry Cough: This is the least serious type of cough. It doesn’t produce much phlegm. Instead, it produces less moisture in the airways.
What Causes Coughing?
The most common reason for coughing is postnasal drip. This occurs when you swallow excess mucus that collects in your nasal passages. This happens because the airways in your nose narrow during breathing, trapping mucous. As you breathe, the trapped mucus drips into your mouth and throat. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, you’re likely swallowing some of this mucous too. Unfortunately, brushing often isn’t enough to prevent postnasal drip since the area where mucus accumulates is difficult to reach.
In addition to postnasal drip, rhinitis is another common cause of persistent coughing. Rhinitis is inflammation of the lining of the nose and sinuses, typically caused by allergies or infections. Your immune system responds to allergens and viruses by releasing chemicals called cytokines, including interleukins IL4 and IL13. These cytokines stimulate cells to release histamines, causing swelling around the nose and sinuses. Histamine also stimulates nerve endings, causing pain and itching. You expel mucus and irritated tissues when you sneeze or blow your nose.
Other possible causes include asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, and tuberculosis.
How are coughs treated?
Most coughs are caused by viral infections and usually pass within a few weeks without treatment. However, some people may experience persistent coughing lasting up to two weeks. Doctors usually don’t recommend antibiotics because they only treat bacterial infections.
These days, most children can go home without needing antibiotics. However, unless a cough isn’t letting your child sleep, there is no reason to give him/her cough medicine. “Antibiotics aren’t necessary,” says Dr. Amy Gorman, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at NYU Langone Health and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Bellevue Hospital Center. “They’re only effective if you’ve got a bacterial infection.”
Check the label carefully if you decide to give your child cough medicine. You want to choose one that contains dextromethorphan hydrobromide, such as Robitussin AC® or Delsym DC®. Both contain dextromethorphan, an active ingredient found in many OTC cold remedies. This drug works by blocking the pain receptors in your nose and throat, helping relieve symptoms like stuffy noses and sore throats.
The best way to prevent getting sick is to practice good hygiene—washing hands frequently, covering mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, avoiding contact with those who are ill, and staying away from places where others congregate, such as schools, daycare centers, and workplaces.
When Should I Go to Urgent Care for a Cough?
A persistent cough brings a lot of people to emergency rooms. But what about those who don’t go to the ER? When should you seek immediate medical attention?
The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends calling your doctor if you experience one of the following warning signs:
- A cough lasting longer than three weeks
- A cough accompanied by fever, chills or chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
Urgent Care Centers are open seven days a week and provide same-day appointments within 24 hours of arrival.
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing while lying down
- Feeling like you cannot catch your breath
- Chest pains
- A persistent cough
Coughing
A thick, wet cough can often signal the presence of a virus like influenza, the common cold, or bronchitis. If you also feel short of breath, it could indicate another lung problem called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. People with COPD have airway inflammation that makes it hard for them to breathe. They usually experience symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and a persistent feeling of having something stuck in their throat. Smoking is the biggest cause of COPD, but people exposed to secondhand smoke or inhaling pollution can develop the same problems. In some cases, people with COPD may lose weight because their lungs do not function properly. Their muscles become weak and unable to move food into the digestive system. As a result, they may eat fewer calories than normal. See a doctor if you have a dry cough that lasts longer than three weeks. You may have pneumonia, tuberculosis, or cancer.Wheezing
Wheezing is the high-pitch, rough breathing sound you hear when you exhale. You might think it sounds funny, but it’s quite serious. If you have wheezing, your chest walls move inward while breathing out. This movement makes air pass through narrow tubes called bronchi. When you do this, tiny particles known as secretions clog up the tubes, making it hard for air to flow. The cause of wheezing varies depending on what type of illness you have. The inflammation caused by allergies or infection can sometimes make the airways too tight. Other times, the narrowing happens because of scarring due to lung damage. Still, others have no clear reason why they suffer from wheezing.Types of Coughs
There are many different kinds of coughs, and knowing what type you have can help you decide whether it is something you can treat yourself or whether you should seek medical attention. Here are some examples of each type of cough:- Barky Cough: This is one of the most common types of cough, and it usually happens when someone inhales too much dust or smoke. Loud sounds like barking dogs characterize a barky cough. You might hear a “hah!” sound.
- Whooping Cough: This is another very common type of cough. It occurs when someone exhales forcefully through his/her nose and mouth while coughing. This causes a high-pitched “whoop,” similar to how a child makes the noise when he/she laughs.
- Wheezy Cough: This is a dry cough that often accompanies a cold. It is caused by mucus that gets stuck in the throat and chest. When you try to clear it out, you make a wheezing sound.
- Dry Cough: This is the least serious type of cough. It doesn’t produce much phlegm. Instead, it produces less moisture in the airways.
What Causes Coughing?
The most common reason for coughing is postnasal drip. This occurs when you swallow excess mucus that collects in your nasal passages. This happens because the airways in your nose narrow during breathing, trapping mucous. As you breathe, the trapped mucus drips into your mouth and throat. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, you’re likely swallowing some of this mucous too. Unfortunately, brushing often isn’t enough to prevent postnasal drip since the area where mucus accumulates is difficult to reach. In addition to postnasal drip, rhinitis is another common cause of persistent coughing. Rhinitis is inflammation of the lining of the nose and sinuses, typically caused by allergies or infections. Your immune system responds to allergens and viruses by releasing chemicals called cytokines, including interleukins IL4 and IL13. These cytokines stimulate cells to release histamines, causing swelling around the nose and sinuses. Histamine also stimulates nerve endings, causing pain and itching. You expel mucus and irritated tissues when you sneeze or blow your nose. Other possible causes include asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, and tuberculosis.How are coughs treated?
Most coughs are caused by viral infections and usually pass within a few weeks without treatment. However, some people may experience persistent coughing lasting up to two weeks. Doctors usually don’t recommend antibiotics because they only treat bacterial infections. These days, most children can go home without needing antibiotics. However, unless a cough isn’t letting your child sleep, there is no reason to give him/her cough medicine. “Antibiotics aren’t necessary,” says Dr. Amy Gorman, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at NYU Langone Health and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Bellevue Hospital Center. “They’re only effective if you’ve got a bacterial infection.” Check the label carefully if you decide to give your child cough medicine. You want to choose one that contains dextromethorphan hydrobromide, such as Robitussin AC® or Delsym DC®. Both contain dextromethorphan, an active ingredient found in many OTC cold remedies. This drug works by blocking the pain receptors in your nose and throat, helping relieve symptoms like stuffy noses and sore throats. The best way to prevent getting sick is to practice good hygiene—washing hands frequently, covering mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, avoiding contact with those who are ill, and staying away from places where others congregate, such as schools, daycare centers, and workplaces.When Should I Go to Urgent Care for a Cough?
A persistent cough brings a lot of people to emergency rooms. But what about those who don’t go to the ER? When should you seek immediate medical attention? The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends calling your doctor if you experience one of the following warning signs:- A cough lasting longer than three weeks
- A cough accompanied by fever, chills or chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath