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Barry J Weinberg, MD

Pulmonary Medicine

Our Services / Cough

Cough services offered in Upper East Side, New York, NY

A cough following a cold is annoying and sometimes painful but should disappear quite quickly. If you’ve got a persistent or recurring cough, you should contact experienced pulmonologist Barry J Weinberg, MD at his New York City practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Dr. Weinberg has state-of-the-art lung function testing facilities where he can assess your cough. Whether it’s bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, or any other lung condition, he can help. To schedule a consultation, call the office of Barry J Weinberg, MD, today or book an appointment online.


Cough Q & A

Why am I coughing?

Coughing is your body’s response to irritation in your throat or airways. Sometimes, an irritant like dust or food particles triggers a cough. Coughs are also a common symptom of infections like flu and the common cold.

Coughs may be dry and tickly or productive. It’s worth noting that one of the main symptoms of COVID-19 is a continual, dry cough.

A productive cough is one where you bring up phlegm — thick, often discolored mucus. Colds and other respiratory tract infections usually cause productive coughs in their later stages, when your body tries to expel the phlegm your lungs produce.

In most cases, these coughs are acute, lasting less than two weeks. A chronic cough persists and could be a sign of an underlying problem.

What causes a chronic cough?

Common causes of a chronic cough include:

Asthma

Asthma is a frequent cause of cough in adults. Cough-variant asthma is a condition where the only symptom is a dry cough. Many people find their asthma cough is worse at night.

Rhinitis

Both allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and nonallergic rhinitis can cause a chronic cough.

Postnasal drip

Postnasal drip occurs when mucus from your nose continually drips into the back of your throat. Allergies and sinusitis frequently cause postnasal drip, also known as upper airway cough syndrome.

COPD

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) — chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These disorders cause airway inflammation, swelling, and mucus production.

Lung cancer

While your chronic cough is less likely to be lung cancer, it’s important to see Dr. Weinberg so that you can be certain.

Neurogenic cough

Also known as sensory neuropathic cough, this condition is due to nerve damage.

To determine the cause of your cough, you need to have a thorough evaluation. Depending on Dr. Weinberg’s findings, you might need blood tests, pulmonary function tests, or diagnostic imaging procedures like an X-ray or CT Scan.

How do you treat a cough?

The treatment Dr. Weinberg recommends for your cough depends on the cause. Options include:

  • Leukotriene modifiers
  • Biologics
  • Antibiotics for bacterial infections
  • Oral or inhaled steroids (anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • Inhaled bronchodilators
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Flu and pneumonia immunization
  • Gabapentin (for a neurogenic cough)

Dr. Weinberg creates an individual treatment plan for each patient to cater to their specific needs.

To find the cause of your chronic cough and get effective treatment, call Barry J Weinberg, MD, or book an appointment online today.