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Cough services offered in Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows and Mt. Prospect, IL
If you have a persistent cough that negatively affects your quality of life, the experienced team at NewMed Immediate Care, which has locations in Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, and Prospect, Illinois, has solutions. They discover what’s causing your cough and offer treatments to reduce its severity and prevent complications. Don’t let a cough make you uncomfortable when simple treatments are within reach. Call the office, request an appointment online, or simply walk into the nearest location today.
What is a cough?
A cough is your body’s way of protecting itself and keeping your throat and airway clear. Acute coughs might begin suddenly and last 1-3 weeks, while chronic coughs last much longer.
If left untreated, vigorous, prolonged coughing can lead to dizziness, fainting, sleeping problems, headaches, urinary incontinence, and vomiting.
What causes a cough?
Numerous illnesses can lead to acute or chronic coughs. Illnesses that can lead to acute coughs include:
- Cold
- Flu
- Acute bronchitis
- Inhaling smoke, dust, or chemicals
- Pneumonia
- Whooping cough
- Postnasal drip
Illnesses that can lead to chronic coughs include:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Smoking
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Throat disorders
- Some medications
The medical team at NewMed Immediate Care determines what’s causing your cough to establish the most appropriate treatment plan.
What is the treatment for a cough?
Your provider reviews your medical history and symptoms and examines you. They listen to your breathing and check your eyes, ears, and throat. Your doctor may also complete lung function, allergy, asthma, or imaging tests to diagnose the cause of acute or chronic coughs.
Your personalized treatment plan depends on the type and severity of your cough. Your doctor might recommend:
At-home care
Home remedies might be all that’s needed to help you recover from illnesses responsible for coughing. Examples include getting plenty of rest, drinking a lot of fluids, taking a steamy shower, and using a cool-mist humidifier. Avoid tobacco smoke and other irritants.
Medications
Your doctor might recommend taking over-the-counter cough medicines or prescription medications to relieve your cough. For coughs caused by allergies or asthma, they may suggest taking allergy medicines or using an inhaler. COPD may also warrant using an inhaler to ease symptoms.
Oxygen therapy
If you have COPD, your doctor might recommend oxygen therapy in addition to medications and an inhaler. This treatment delivers supplemental oxygen to your lungs using portable oxygen units. You might require oxygen therapy just when you sleep, during daily activities, or all the time.
Don’t let a persistent, violent cough lead to complications or hinder your quality of life when simple treatment options are available at NewMed Immediate Care. Schedule an appointment over the phone, request one online today, or simply walk into the nearest location.