Everyone gets a cough now and then. It’s your body’s way of clearing your chest. But if your cough sticks around for more than 8 weeks, it’s time to have a yarn with your doctor or health worker. A long cough can knock you around, make you tired, keep you up at night, and make it harder to do your day-to-day things. It can also mean something else is going on.
This factsheet from Lung Foundation Australia provides a guide to understand your long-lasting cough, what you can expect during your GP visit and some helpful questions to ask. Most importantly, it’s to help you understand why you shouldn’t ignore your long-lasting cough.
The fact sheet guides you through five key steps
Step 1: Yarn with your GP
Write down when your cough happens, what makes it better or worse, and any other symptoms. Take a family member or friend if you want. It is good to have support.
Step 2: Tests you might need
Your doctor might send you for a chest X-ray or a breathing test (spirometry). These are usually covered by Medicare. You might also need blood tests, allergy checks, or scans. If your doctor doesn’t mention these tests, ask why, as they are recommended for long coughs.
Step 3: What could be causing it?
Dust, smoke, strong smells, sinus problems, reflux, asthma, infections, or even some medicines.
Step 4: Getting help
Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, simple self-care like sipping water, or medicines. They might link you with specialists like lung doctors, ENT doctors, or speech pathologists.
Step 5: Follow-up yarns
Go back when your doctor says. If you feel worse or don’t hear about your results, call them. Healing takes time. Ask any questions you may have like how long before you should feel better.
Remember, getting your lungs checked early keeps you healthy, strong and here for your mob.
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