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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Clear Mucus
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Oct 14, 2003 12:00AM
, Oct 14, 2003 12:00AM
You probably have a viral upper respiratory infection but your cough is most likely also related to your smoking. Smoking is a common cause of cough, especially if it persists.
A cough can be a side effect of a group of medicines used to treat high blood pressure called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In a person who has a normal chest x-ray and who doesn’t smoke the most common causes of cough are postnasal drip, chronic sinus problem, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and asthma. If this cough lasts longer than 30 days you should have a good evaluation, to include a chest x-ray.
No matter what, you should quit smoking. Now would be a good time. You may want to look at our Quit Smoking Topic Center at http://www.nationaljewish.org/topic/smoking_cessation.html for ways to help you to quit smoking. Also check with your doctor for other quit smoking resources in your area.
A cough can be a side effect of a group of medicines used to treat high blood pressure called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. In a person who has a normal chest x-ray and who doesn’t smoke the most common causes of cough are postnasal drip, chronic sinus problem, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and asthma. If this cough lasts longer than 30 days you should have a good evaluation, to include a chest x-ray.
No matter what, you should quit smoking. Now would be a good time. You may want to look at our Quit Smoking Topic Center at http://www.nationaljewish.org/topic/smoking_cessation.html for ways to help you to quit smoking. Also check with your doctor for other quit smoking resources in your area.
Approximately 80 to 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by smoking; a smoker is 10 times more likely than a nonsmoker to die of COPD.
You can quit...I was a smoker and have been smoke free for 6 years. Good luck to you!