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When is a cough something to worry about?

When is a cough something to worry about?

While a cough can be a common symptom of a cold or flu, there are times when it's a sign of something more serious.

A recent survey by Leger Marketing found that many Canadians are confused about their coughs, and don't know what's considered normal or what's cause for concern.

With nearly seven million Canadians expected to come down with the dreaded cold virus this year, we spoke to an expert to get the low-down on when you should ignore your cough and when it's something you should worry about.

What's normal?

The type of cough that's associated with a cold or flu serves to help keep the airways clear and is beneficial for that purpose. It will typically last a week or two and resolve on its own, says Ken Chapman, a respirologist at University Health Network.

When should you be worried?

People should be concerned if their cough lasts longer than two weeks or if it seems to recur frequently, with any sort of pattern, or with other symptoms.

"Things like high fever, being breathless, coughing up blood -- those sorts of things tend to be obvious," says Chapman. "But the cough that lingers or the cough that recurs is something that often escapes attention. If you're one of those people who tends to get bronchitis every winter, that should give you pause."

Chapman encourages people to be effective partners in their own care. "Say to your doctor, 'Do you realize this is the third time in 18 months we've been doing this?' if there's something going on."

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Causes

Beyond the common cold or influenza, a recurring cough could be one of the first signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and these coughing episodes are often referred to as "exacerbations" by doctors. Another cause of recurring cough could be asthma.

Smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing COPD. While many people believe that smoking-related illnesses are on the decline, Chapman says that's only true for heart disease and cancer. He says when it comes to COPD, it's the reverse, and more women are diagnosed with the illness than men.

"In the next few years, if not already, it will be the third most common cause of death on the planet," he says, adding that even those who quit smoking many years ago are still at risk. "The tobacco damage that was done to their lungs was permanent – that's what COPD is. So as they age, the problem becomes apparent. It's never a diagnosis to disregard for anybody who smoked for any length of time."

A simple breathing test, called spirometry, can help determine if a person's lung function is reduced. "It takes five or six minutes and costs the healthcare system about $20, which is cheaper than most X-rays," he says.

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Treatments

A cough from a cold or flu will generally resolve on its own without any medical intervention. In the case of asthma, inhaled medications can often keep the cough at bay.

When it comes to COPD, a number of treatment options come into play, says Chapman. Quitting smoking, improving your diet and making sure you're getting enough exercise are great places to start. Inhaled medications can also be an effective treatment.