When to Worry About a Cold: Signs of Pneumonia, Acid Reflux, and More

2024-02-12 05:11:29

If it persists for more than 2 weeks, it is advisable to pay attention to pneumonia, acid reflux, etc.

Entered 2024.02.12 14:10 Entered 2024.02.12 14:10 Modified 2024.02.12 13:32 Views 2

It is often said that “colds are the root of all diseases.” You catch a lot of colds in your life, but if symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it is better to look into other possibilities. [사진= 게티이미지뱅크]A cold usually gets better within 10 days. However, if the cold does not go away, you should consider several possibilities. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults catch a cold two to three times a year, and children catch it more often. Colds are considered one of the biggest reasons for absenteeism from work and school. When you catch a cold, sore throat and runny nose usually appear first, followed by coughing and sneezing. Most people recover in about 7 to 10 days. However, if a cold lasts for a long time, you may worry that you may have to live with it for the rest of your life. The health portal ‘Thehealthy’ operated by the American magazine ‘Reader’s Digest’ pointed out ’12 signs of a cold that won’t go away’.

You might have another cold

Especially during the cold season, you can be re-infected with a new cold virus. A new cold virus and new symptoms can be confused with the cold virus you just defeated. Dr. Joshua Scott of the Kerlan-Jove Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, USA, said, “There are hundreds of cold viruses. “Most people suffer from a cold at least once a year,” he said.

Could be a side effect of the medicine

If coughing, which is usually the last symptom of a cold, does not stop, it may be due to medication. Dr. Christine Arthur (internal medicine) at Memorial Care Orange Coast Medical Center in California said, “Chronic dry cough is a common side effect of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors such as lisinopril, benazepril, and ramipril, which are types of blood pressure medications.” He added, “There should be no other symptoms such as stuffy nose, sore throat, or sinus pressure, so if you are taking these medications, it is best to consult with your doctor and change to another medication.”

It may be due to chronic postnasal drip

If you continue to have a severe cough with clear or white phlegm, it may be due to chronic postnasal drip. It tends to get worse when lying in bed at night. My nose is stuffy and I have to keep spitting out phlegm. Postnasal drip is a common aftereffect of a cold. It can also be caused by allergies, weather changes, and other external factors.

Could be bacterial sinusitis

As your cold begins to go away, new symptoms may appear, including sinus pressure, headaches, and fever. A stuffy nose caused by a cold creates a good environment for bacteria to grow, which can cause sinusitis. Sinusitis most often occurs 10 to 14 days after catching a cold.

You may have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

If a cough accompanied by wheezing sounds that does not go away, it may be due to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma usually appears in childhood, but it can also be diagnosed as an adult. COPD commonly occurs in older people, especially those who smoke. For an accurate diagnosis, you may need to have your lungs examined and begin treatment with an inhaler.

You may have pneumonia

If coughing accompanied by brown or green mucus, fever, and difficulty breathing continues, an infection such as pneumonia may be suspected. Patients typically complain of feeling unwell and having pain in their lungs. It is most likely to affect people with chronic lung diseases such as asthma or emphysema, but it can also affect healthy people. It can be fatal, so seek medical help immediately.

You may have acid reflux

If you’ve ever experienced a dry cough, hoarseness, and a bad taste in your mouth, you may be battling acid reflux, a digestive disease. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), acid reflux affects approximately 20% of adults and is increasing. Symptoms include heartburn, nausea, burping, and reflux. Symptoms may worsen if you overeat, eat spicy food, lie down, or frequently take anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen. Taking antacids may help. If symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, you should seek medical attention.

There may be something stuck in your body.

You may also get something stuck in your respiratory tract, such as your nose. This is especially true for children. Runny nose symptoms may last for several weeks or until the object is removed. Dr. Scott said, “If there is foreign matter, it usually produces a foul odor. “The only treatment is for it to be removed by a medical professional,” he said.

You may have tuberculosis

If you have tuberculosis, you may have an uncontrollable cough, cough up blood, and have fever, chills, and sweats. Dr. Arthur said, “TB is very infectious. “If you have a weak immune system, have traveled abroad, or have been exposed to a patient with tuberculosis, you are at risk of contracting tuberculosis,” he warned. You should avoid contact with other people and get tested immediately. Wear a mask when going to the hospital.

You may have insufficient immunity

A cold that lasts for a long time can be a sign that something is wrong with your body’s defense system. In other words, it may be a sign that your immunity has dropped and your ability to fight infection is impaired. Lack of food intake, insufficient sleep, dehydration, stress, heredity, certain medications, and systemic viral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can reduce the ability to fight a cold. When immunity is low, rest, water intake, stress management, supplements, and antibacterial treatment are essential.

Could be due to allergies

A common cause of a runny nose and cough can be environmental allergies. “Depending on the season, allergy symptoms last much longer,” Dr. Scott said. “My eyes often get itchy and watery,” he said.

In rare cases, you may have cancer

If you are a smoker or have been exposed to asbestos and continue to cough even after taking medication, you may have cancer. “You may have a cough for several weeks or months,” Dr. Arthur said. “Some cancer patients may experience general weakness, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and weight loss,” he said.

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