Cough Specialist
-
- Tweet
Salman Alim, MD
Pulmonologist located in Humble, TX
If you have a severe or chronic cough, it could be a symptom of chronic disease, infection, or another serious health problem. In Humble, Texas, experienced pulmonologist Salman Alim, MD, and his staff can find the root cause of your cough and treat it to give you a better quality of life. Call the office today to schedule an appointment or book one online.
Cough Q&A
What causes a cough?
Many illnesses and diseases can make you cough, some of them serious. Coughing often makes it difficult to breathe and can cause chest pain. Common causes of a cough include:
- Colds
- Flu
- COVID-19
- Inhaling workplace irritants
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Pneumonia
- Whooping cough
- Smoking
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Sometimes your cough goes away on its own after a few days or weeks. Other times, a cough is severe or lingers for a long time, requiring treatment.
How does my provider diagnose the cause of a cough?
To find out what’s causing your cough and develop a treatment, Dr. Alim discusses your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. He completes a physical exam, including listening to your heartbeat and breathing, to assess your overall health.
Dr. Alim might order blood tests, nasal or throat swabs, chest X-rays, allergy tests, asthma testing, or other lung function (breathing) tests to find the root cause of your cough.
How can I reduce my risk of getting a cough?
While you can’t always avoid getting a cough, you can do a few things to lower your risk. Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, get into a smoking cessation program or take smoking cessation medications.
Wash your hands regularly to reduce the risk of getting sick, and don’t touch your hands to your face. Avoid breathing in gas fumes, dust, and other workplace irritants.
What are common cough treatments?
Depending on the type, cause, and severity of cough you have, Dr. Alim could recommend one or more of the following treatments:
Home remedies
If you have a cold, flu, or COVID-19, it’s important to get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, and drink a lot of fluids to help your body recover. Take dietary supplements or over-the-counter medicines if Dr. Alim recommends it. Don’t smoke.
Medications
Dr. Alim offers prescription cough medications that can reduce your symptoms and help you feel comfortable while you recover from an illness.
Allergy treatments
Common allergy treatments that can reduce coughing include oral medicines, allergy shots, and nasal sprays.
Asthma treatments
Asthma treatments that lower your risk of coughing include inhalers, biological treatments (injections), and bronchial thermoplasty, a procedure in which Dr. Alim uses thermal energy to reduce airway constriction.
COPD treatments
Common COPD treatments include oral medications, inhalers, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Don’t live with a debilitating cough when simple treatments can give you relief. Call the office of Salman Alim, MD, today or schedule an appointment online.
