How long does smoker's cough last?
If you smoker heavily, you'll have symptoms for months. It can last anywhere from few days to few weeks to indefinitely.
If you smoke a cigarette or two every once in a while, your cough will go away after you stop smoking.
If you smoke reguarly, you'll most likely have symptoms for as long as you smoke. You cannot also get rid of the symptoms easily, even with treatment and home remedies that can soothe it.
Even after you quit smoking, in some cases, you may still have the smoker's cough.
Is a smoker's cough sign of lung cancer?
It may not easy to tell the difference. Some symptoms of lung cancer are similar to smoker's cough, such as hoarseness and wheezing. But cigarettes, cigar and electronics vapors contain many substances that may cause cancer. These are kown as carcinogens.
Consult your doctor if you have any of this symptoms and if your a heavily smoker.
Coughing up blood
Constant chest pain
Unintentional and sudden weight loss
Finding cancer early can help you beat it before it get worse or spread beyond your lungs. Getting screened your lungs soon after yiu develop these symptoms can decrease your risk. Your doctor my recommend lung screening even you dont have these symptoms.
Complications
Smoker's cough complications may vary depending on how severe yout cough is, how heavy you smoke and whether you have underlying conditions.
Complications includes :
Damage to your throat
Hoarse voice
Long term chronic cough
Itching and irritation in your airways
Increased infection
When smoking over a long period of time can cause toxic chemicals to build up to your lungs and airways. This can cause a develop other condition, like :
Bronchitis
PnuemoniaE
mphysema
Lung cancer
When to see your doctor?
Smoking is all bad to your health. Your doctor can tell you how to quit especially if you notice effects such as smoker's cough.
See your doctor to find out if you have underlying condition, if you have symptoms that interfere your daily life. These symptoms includes:
Pain in your bones
Constant pain along with your cough
Abnormal weight loss
Headaches
Coughing up green or yellow mucus
Immediately see your doctor if you have any of thse symptoms:
Coughing up blood
Inability to control your bladder when you cough
Passing out after coughing episodes
Pain in your ribs from injury or fracturing
All these symptoms may indicate conditions such as:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
COPDL
ung cancer
Infection in your airways
Outlook
Quiting smoking is the best way to stop smoker's cough and prevent any serious conditions. It will well worth the effort to try even it is not easy to quit smoking. Yiur doctor can help and refer you to programs to help you quit.
You have many options for treating your smoker's cough and underlying conditions. Theres plenty you can do at home too, to make sure your cough doesn't keep you from enjoying your life.
