Cough

Cermak Immediate Care

Immediate Care & Primary Care Practice located in Cicero, IL, Roseland, IL, Little Village, IL, and North Lawndale, IL

You’ve probably had a mild cough at least once in your life, but a persistent, heavy, or painful cough could point to something more severe than a typical cold. At Cermak Immediate Care in Cicero and Roseland in Chicago, Illinois, Ruchir Thakkar, DO, provides evaluations and treatment for coughing and the symptoms that come with it. Call either practice to schedule an appointment or book your visit online today.

What is a cough?

A cough happens when you expel air from your throat or airway. It’s a normal reaction that happens when your body attempts to get rid of phlegm or other irritants. When those irritants stimulate nerves in your throat, they send a message to your brain, which then tells your chest muscles to force air out of your lungs.

You probably cough every once in a while when you’re not even sick, but persistent coughing often indicates an underlying health condition that needs to be addressed. It’s especially urgent if your coughs are painful or productive with mucus or even blood.

Cermak Immediate Care provides diagnostic evaluations and testing to determine the cause of your cough and can provide the necessary care.

What causes coughing?

There are several conditions that have a cough as a symptom. Here are a few of the most common examples:

The common cold
Most people get the common cold on occasion. A viral infection, affects your upper respiratory tract and usually lasts for 10 days or fewer.

Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition of the airways that causes swelling and excessive mucus production. It can lead to breathing difficulties, often in response to triggers like exercise or allergens.

Bronchitis
Bronchitis often develops as the result of a cold, but can also be a chronic issue involving your lungs due to smoking. It causes irritation inside your airways and an ongoing heavy cough.

How can I get rid of a cough?

Cermak Immediate Care offers solutions for your cough according to its cause. You may or may not need to take medications to control an underlying condition. With the common cold, there is no cure, but home care might help ease your symptoms.

Depending on the cause of your cough, the team might recommend remedies and treatments like:

  • Drinking lots of fluids
  • Long-term control or quick relief medications for asthma
  • Antihistamines
  • Decongestants
  • Cough suppressants
  • Humidifiers

When you come in for your appointment, the team asks various questions about your cough and its potential contributing factors. They ask if you smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke, which medications you currently take, and which (if any) other symptoms you have. These questions help them develop an effective care plan just for you.

Call Cermak Immediate Care to book an appointment and get the treatment you need for your cough.