IF you don’t currently have a cough, it’s likely you know someone who currently has a cough.
It’s officially cold and flu season, so there’s all sorts going around – from RSV to flu.
One of these bugs is most likely the cause of your dry, tickly throat and cough.
But if your cough just won’t budge and it’s sounding particularly phlegmy, health experts urge that you get it seen by a GP.
You may dismiss this as just a “smoker’s cough”, but it could be a sign of COPD – which stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This is a condition characterised by inflammation and damage to the lungs, causing the airways to narrow.
Read more on bugs and flu
COPD is a common condition affecting 1.7 million people in the UK.
But many people may not realise they have the condition, which can leave sufferers feeling breathless and wheezing.
In fact, around 600,000 people in the UK are living with COPD undiagnosed, according to Asthma + Lung UK.
The charity says there are two red flags when it comes to your cough, which could indicate COPD:
- A cough that lasts a long time, or goes away and comes back
- Coughing up a lot of phlegm
Other key signs to watch out for include:
- Breathlessness, which gradually gets worse over time – you might feel breathless while doing things you used to be able to do easily, like walking quickly or going uphill
- Frequent chest infections
- Wheezing
“Never ignore” these symptoms, Asthma + Lung UK notes.
You should see your GP, especially if you’re over the age of 35, are an ex- or current smoker, had chest issues when you were younger or worked in a job where you were exposed to dust, fumes or chemicals.
These can all be risk factors for the condition, as can asthma and a family history of the condition.
Treatment may include inhalers and medicines to make breathing easier and specialised exercise.
But if the condition is very far along, you may need surgery or a lung transplant.
Flare-up red flags
COPD happens when your lungs and airways are damaged and inflamed by breathing in harmful substances.
You are also more likely to develop COPD if you have lung problems in early life.
Getting diagnosed with COPD and starting treatment earlier can help to prevent lung problems getting worse.
But unfortunately, the condition causes your airways to permanently narrow.
Medicines can help open up your obstructed airways, but only to some extent.
COPD is the broad term for a group of lung conditions that include chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
As it obstructs airflow in and out of the lungs, it can leave you breathless.
COPD is a progressive condition, so it gets more severe over time.
When else to worry about a cough
There’s usually no need to see a GP if you have a cough.
You should rest, drink plenty of fluids and try to stay at home, especially if you have a temperature or feel unwell.
You could also try painkillers or a hot honey and lemon drink.
But you should see a GP if:
- You’ve had a cough for more than three weeks
- You’re losing weight for no reason
- You have a weakened immune system – for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes
In most cases, a cough is caused by a cold or the flu.
Otherwise allergies, smoking, heartburn, or infections like Covid could be behind it.
A cough is rarely a sign of something serious like lung cancer.
Source: NHS
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently warned that respiratory syncytial virus RSV infections are ramping up.
It follows warnings of an earlier-than-usual surge in flu cases.
Asthma + Lung UK warns that getting the flu can exacerbate the symptoms of people with lung conditions.
Sufferers may also be more likely to become seriously ill and end up in hospital.
Symptoms of a COPD flare-up include:
- Feeling more out of breath than usual
- Coughing more than usual
- Having more phlegm than usual
- Changes in the colour of your phlegm.
- Wheezing more than usual
- Feeling very tired
- Finding it harder to exercise or be active
- Feeling confused
- Swollen ankles
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you get sudden chest pain, find it hard to breathe or cough up blood.
