1 day Ago By Sophie Buchan
A board-certified family medicine doctor has shared three lesser-known reasons why a persistent cough might not go away. Posting to TikTok for his 237,000 followers, Doctor Sooj said: " : "I have seen so many people with a chronic cough recently, so here are the three reasons that somebody might be coughing for weeks - or months - and an antibiotics and x-rays haven’t made any difference." Discussing a group of medications that might be responsible, he identifies four types commonly used to treat a widespread condition.
He explained, "There’s a class of drugs called ace inhibitors." "Examples are ramipril, lisinopril, perindopril, captopril. And all of these are used to treat high blood pressure.
" Speaking about these medications, he noted: "Any of these can cause irritation to the airway, which can lead to a dry cough and it can be chronic. This is one of the most common side effects of the medication and it usually settles within the first month. "But it might take a bit longer so if you can persevere with it, carry-on.
If not it’ll be worth having a chat with a clinician." If you are not on these medications, he said that "the second common cause could be asthma." The main symptoms of asthma are problems with breathing, such as: wheezing coughing shortness of breath your chest feeling tight "Interestingly, around one of four people with a chronic cough will have asthma and treatment is very straightforward.
We just use inhalers to try and open up their airways". And in some cases, "tablets are used on top of the inhalers" if needed, he noted. In his third and final point, he suggests it might be whooping cough.
According to the NHS , whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious infection that affects the lungs and airways and can lead to serious complications. Vaccination is especially important for babies, young children, and pregnant individuals. The doctor, who has over 6 million likes on the video social media platform stressed: "No, it is not a conspiracy.
Doctors aren’t trying to hide it from you. "It's got multiple different phases to the illness. The first two to three weeks is usually very similar to any other viral infection with a cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches and tiredness.
"But it is usually in the second phase where you start developing this really loud inspiratory whoop in between coughing fits, you'll have a very severe coughing and you might vomit after a cough. He concluded: "If you are deemed to have whooping cough and you’re early in your illness, you might be given some antibiotics. If you’re not then treatment is generally supportive with self-care, advice, and managing close contacts.
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