Anna Hartz
When a Cough Isn’t Just a Cough: What It Could Really Mean
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Coughing is something almost everyone deals with. It can show up with a cold or flu. It can come after exposure to smoke or dust.
But sometimes, a cough is more than just an annoyance.
According to Dr. Mariana Bănică, a pulmonologist at MedLife Floreasca, cough is one of the most common symptoms in lung clinics, writes Ziare.
It can also be a warning sign of something serious.
The type of disease often depends on how long the cough has lasted. A cough lasting under three weeks is usually caused by a virus or a simple infection.
In cold weather, doctors see a lot of viral bronchitis or lingering coughs that can stick around for weeks.
Spring and fall bring in patients with asthma triggered by pollen or mold.
But when a cough lasts longer than eight weeks, doctors look deeper. A chronic cough can signal asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, or even cancer.
If it doesn’t get better with regular cough syrup or antibiotics, it’s time to see a specialist.
Dr. Bănică says her clinic has seen a rise in tuberculosis cases since the COVID pandemic.
Many cases are advanced and very contagious. She also sees lung cancer in younger patients, which she links to smoking at an earlier age.
To figure out what’s going on, doctors may order chest X-rays, CT scans, or spirometry.
If cancer or tuberculosis is suspected, further tests like bronchoscopy or sputum exams may be needed.
Symptoms like weight loss, bloody mucus, or shortness of breath should never be ignored. These may point to serious conditions that need fast treatment.
Asthma can be controlled with the right treatment. Patients diagnosed early and treated properly can live normal lives.
But without care, asthma can make simple daily tasks hard to manage.
Dr. Bănică stresses the importance of prevention. Avoiding smoke, allergens, and workplace hazards makes a big difference.
So does quitting smoking and getting vaccinated against flu and pneumonia.
Coughing might seem harmless. But when it won’t stop, it could be trying to tell you something important.