What to expect at your health care provider's office
In emergency cases, the patient will be treated first to stabilize the condition. After the condition is stable, the doctor will ask questions about your cough, including:
- Are you
coughing up blood ? (How much, how often) - Do you bring up any mucus/sputum when you cough? What does it look like? Is it thick and hard to cough up? How much sputum is produced per day?
- Is the cough severe? Is the cough dry?
- Does the cough sound like a seal barking?
- What is the pattern of the cough? Did it begin suddenly? Has it been increasing recently? Is the cough worse at night? When you first awaken?
- How long has the cough lasted?
- Is the cough worse when you are lying on one side?
- Are there sudden periodic attacks of coughing with gagging and
vomiting ? - What other symptoms are present?
The physical examination will include emphasis on the ears, nose, throat, and chest.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
-
Bronchoscopy -
Lung scan -
Pulmonary function tests -
Sputum analysis (if the cough produces sputum) -
X-ray of the chest
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