Practice News
Cough
When Should You See a Doctor About a Cough?
Coughs are a common symptom that we have all encountered occasionally. Whether a cold, allergies or a more serious condition is to blame, it can be tricky to know when to see a doctor for a cough. Most coughs clear up on their own, however, this is not always the case, and seeking medical help is important. Thus, how can you decide when to see your GP?
Common Causes of Coughs
It's helpful to understand why we cough before discussing when to go to the doctor for a cough. Coughing is generally the body's method of expelling allergens from your respiratory tract. Typical causes consist of:
Cold or flu
Allergies
Asthma
Acid reflux
In these cases, your cough is often accompanied by other symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, or fever. However, a more serious cause such as a chest infection or chronic condition like COPD may be indicated by a persistent or severe cough.
When to Go to the Doctor with a Cough?
So, when should I see the doctor for a cough? Keeping an eye on the duration of the cough and whether it gets worse with time is a useful rule of thumb. See your GP if your cough has persisted for longer than three weeks. A cough for more than three weeks , may indicate a more serious underlying issue, including a chest infection or some underlying illness.
Other concerning symptoms to prompt medical advice include:
Coughing up blood
Severe chest pain
Persistent wheezing
Difficulty in breathing
Coughing that’s accompanied by high fever or weight loss
If you're unsure when to visit a doctor for a cough, a good indicator is the impact it is having on your daily life. If you’re experiencing cough and fatigue, or your symptoms are interfering with your ability to sleep or work, it’s time to see your GP.
Cough in Adults: When to Be Worried
If you're wondering, "when should I be worried about a cough?" Cough duration and accompanying symptoms indicate when to seek help. For example, a cough for over three weeks or bouts of coughing could indicate an underlying health issue that needs prompt attention.
You might also ask, "when to go to the doctor for a cough in adults?" Symptoms such as fatigue and weight loss may indicate a more serious underlying cause such as cancer. The NHS guidelines suggest to consider a chest x-ray in people ,over the age of 45 year, with persistent cough for over 3 week.
When to See a Doctor for a Cough in Children?
Coughs, especially in school and nursery going children are incredibly common. So "when should I see a doctor for a cough in children?" If your child’s cough has lasted longer than a week, or they’re struggling to breathe, don’t hesitate to contact your GP.
Coughs that are accompanied by high fever, vomiting, or lethargy should also be checked by a doctor. It’s always better to be cautious when it comes to the health of young children.
Cold vs. Cough: When to See a Doctor
If you're dealing with a cold and a cough, you may be unsure when to see a doctor for a cold. Most colds run their course within 2 weeks (according to The Royal College of General Practitioners), but those lasting longer should trigger seeking medical help. A cough that's coupled with severe cold symptoms, such as a temperature of over 38°C or difficulty breathing, could point to something more serious like pneumonia.
Coughing Too Much: What Happens?
Frequent, intense coughing can strain your body, leading to symptoms like chest pain, sore muscles, and even vomiting in severe cases. What happens if you cough too much? Excessive coughing can irritate your airways, making your symptoms worse and leading to conditions like bronchitis. In cases of excessive coughing, the question "when to go to the doctor for coughing?" is pertinent.
Final Thoughts
Most of us suffer from cough of whatever cause sometimes in our lives but if you're asking yourself, "when should I see a doctor about a cough?" or "when should you worry about a cough?", then seek help if you are unsure.
Knowing when to see a doctor for coughing can ensure that severe conditions are diagnosed early. Don’t hesitate to contact us at Bredbury Medical Centre if you're uncertain when to go to the doctor with a cough.
Published on 29th Sep 2024
October Awareness Month
October Awareness Month
So what month is October the awareness month of? We take a snapshot from the NHS Calendar of national campaigns 2024. It is also one of the cancer awareness months.
1st-7th Oct: Dyspraxia Awareness Week
This week-long campaign aims to increase public awareness of dyspraxia, a neurological condition that can interfere with daily living by impairing motor skills and coordination. This campaign also seeks to advance understanding and support for dyspraxic individuals.
7th-12th October: Back Care Awareness Week
This awareness week highlights the impact that back pain can have on peoples' lives. Additionally, it raises awareness of different approaches to back pain management and treatment.
9th-15th October: Baby Loss Awareness Week
The week's objectives are to support bereaved families and increase awareness of pregnancy and baby loss. You are never alone in your loss.
10th Oct: World Suicide Prevention Day
Annually, global communities and organisations unite to promote awareness about ways to reduce the number of suicide deaths worldwide. For additional information, go to Samaritans.
10th Oct: World Mental Health Day
10th Oct 2024, is designated World Mental Health Day. Every year, the World Federation for Mental Health decides the official theme.
13th-19th October: Infection Prevention Control Week
The goal of infection prevention control week is to increase public awareness of the critical role that each of us plays in protecting patients from infection. Any action we can take to stop an infection can avoid a great deal of health issues in the future.
18th October: World Menopause Day
This annual event takes place on that day each year. The day aims to promote public knowledge about menopause and the resources available to enhance their physical and mental well-being. We want women and professionals to take part in this worldwide awareness-building initiative by printing and distributing these materials, planning community engagement events, and sharing posts on World Menopause Day social media.
22 October: International Stammering Awareness Day
Globally, a variety of organisations and individuals bring attention to this frequently overlooked condition.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is the month of awareness of breast cancer. Raising money to stop breast cancer is something you can do. Together, let's defeat breast cancer.
National Cholesterol Month
October is National Cholesterol Month, a time that highlights the need to keep cholesterol levels within a healthy range.
This month aims to promote awareness of the risks associated with high cholesterol and generate donations for HEART UK.
Sober October
This is your chance to abstain from alcohol for a month. You can choose to do this for charitable purposes, your own health, or both.
Stoptober
The Department of Health and Social Care's annual stop smoking campaign, known as Stoptober, is based on research showing that smokers who successfully quit for a full 28 days are five times more likely to do so in the future. Stoptober was launched in 2012 and helped over 2.4 million people quit smoking.
Published on 18th Sep 2024
Whooping cough
What is Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious bacterial lung infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. This condition can be particularly dangerous for young children and babies. Despite the widespread whooping cough vaccination efforts, the disease continues to pose a UK public health challenge. Whooping cough cases in the Uk have had a spike with 12,200 cases confirmed between January and July 2024 (UK Health Security Agency). Greater Manchester has had 400 probable and 126 possible cases until September 2024 (The Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership).
Whooping cough symptoms typically resemble those of a common cold followed by severe bouts of coughing. This cough can be so intense as to cause difficulty in breathing, leading to the characteristic "whoop" sound as the person coughing gasps for air. This sound is more common in children, while adults may experience a persistent cough without the distinctive noise.
The symptoms of whooping cough usually appear within 5 to 10 days of exposure but can take up to three weeks. The illness typically starts with mild symptoms, such as:
- Runny or blocked nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Sore throat
- Mild cough
- Slight fever
The cough becomes more severe after 1-2 weeks and is characterised by intense coughing fits that may last several minutes. These fits are often followed by a high-pitched “whoop” sound as the person takes a breath in, particularly in young children. This phase can last several weeks or even months, which is why whooping cough is sometimes referred to as the whooping cough 100 day cough.
How Long Does Whooping Cough Last?
The duration of whooping cough varies from person to person. The initial mild symptoms typically last one to two weeks. The severe coughing stage usually lasts between 2 - 6 weeks, but in some cases, the cough can persist for up to 3 months or longer. Even after the severe symptoms have resolved, a mild cough may linger as the airways gradually heal.
Is Whooping Cough Contagious?
Yes, whooping cough is highly contagious. Droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes spread the infection. People are most contagious during the early stages of the condition, often before the severe coughing has even begun. It's important to be aware that even vaccinated people can catch and spread whooping cough, although their symptoms are usually less severe.
Whooping Cough Treatment
In suspected whooping cough cases, seeking prompt medical advice is important. Early treatment with antibiotics and whooping cough management can reduce the severity of symptoms and help prevent infection spreading. Antibiotics are the most effective when started within the first 2-3 weeks of the illness.
In addition to antibiotics, supportive care is important. This may include:
- Ensuring adequate hydration
- Getting plenty of rest
- Using a humidifier to moisten the air and soothe irritated airways
Over-the-counter cough medicines are unlikely to relieve the severe cough associated with whooping cough.
Face Masks and Whooping Cough
The use of face masks with whooping cough can help reduce the spread of the infection. This is especially important in crowded or enclosed spaces where close contact between people is more likely. Face masks can be particularly effective in preventing the transmission of Bordetella pertussis bacteria contained in droplets. As effective face masks are, they are not a substitute for Whooping cough vaccination, which remains the most effective way in preventing Whooping cough.
How to Stop Whooping Cough at Night
Whooping cough tends to be worse at night time which can disturb sleep. To help manage Whooping cough at night, consider the following tips:
- Elevate the head and upper body (e.g with extra pillows) to reduce the frequency of coughing fits
- Increase the room humidity (e.g. by using dehumidifier / placing a metal pot full of water on radiator / having houseplants in the room) which can prevent the airways from drying out.
- Ensure the room is well-ventilated.
- Have small sips of water or a warm drink to help soothe the throat during coughing episodes.
Despite these measures, night time coughing may still be distressing, and it is essential to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor.
What Does Whooping Cough Sound Like?
The characteristic whooping cough sound occurs when the person gasps for air after a prolonged coughing fit, creating a high-pitched "whoop" noise. This sound is more commonly heard in children. Adults may experience a severe, persistent cough without the characteristic "whoop." If you're unsure about the sound, audio recordings of whooping cough are available online to help identify it.
There has been increasing whooping cough news coverage in recent years due to periodic outbreaks, especially among adolescents and adults. Public health campaigns continue to emphasise the importance of vaccination, particularly for pregnant women, who can pass protective antibodies to their babies. NHS guidelines about whooping cough also recommend regular booster vaccinations for those in close contact with infants.
Conclusion
Whooping cough is a serious and highly contagious respiratory infection that can have severe consequences, particularly for young children and vulnerable individuals. Understanding the symptoms, treatment options, and preventive measures, such as vaccination and the use of face masks whooping cough, can help reduce the spread of whooping cough and protect those most at risk. If you or someone you care for is showing signs of whooping cough, seek medical advice promptly to ensure the appropriate care and support.
For more detailed information, please visit the whooping cough NHS website. If you feel that you are suffering from Whooping cough then please book an appointment with a GP at Bredbury Medical Centre
Published on 15th Sep 2024
Tame Valley Primary Care Network New Website
As some of you may be aware Park View is part of the Tame Valley Primary Care Network, along with 7 other practices in the area.
The purpose of the PCN is to provide similar services across the area, but also to provide services which tailor to the needs of the local population of each practice.
The Tame Valley PCN has now created a website where you can find out more information on what a PCN is, our goals, services you may not know that we offer with our PCN staff, our PCN ppg and much more!
Please visit www.tamevalleypcn.nhs.uk and let us know what you think
Published on 4th Jun 2024