Cough and Cold

Cough and Cold services offered in Bossier City, LA

Coughs and colds are the most common illnesses, responsible for more healthcare visits than any other condition. Corine Bowman, MD, and her colleagues at Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC in Bossier City, Louisiana, are experienced practitioners who understand how distressing anxiety can be. They dedicate themselves to helping their patients overcome anxiety disorders using a sympathetic, personalized approach. If you’re experiencing chronic anxiety problems, call Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC, or request an appointment online today.

What are colds?

Colds affect the upper respiratory tract, causing unpleasant symptoms that include:

Runny nose
Headaches
Sore throat
Sneezing
Weakness
Nasal congestion
Coughs

For most people, colds are minor illnesses that improve with rest and self-care. However, they can be more problematic for older people and those with a weakened immune system.

Over 200 cold viruses exist, and everyone suffers from colds sometimes. The average adult American experiences between two and four every year, while children typically get between six and eight colds yearly because they haven’t built up any immunity.

Once you’ve had one type of cold virus, your body’s immune system defends you if you encounter it again. However, you can still catch the colds caused by other viruses.

Why do I cough with a cold?

When you have a cold, thick mucus (phlegm) builds up in your airways, clogging them. Coughing is a reflex your body performs to get the phlegm out of your body.

While coughs almost always accompany colds, they can also be caused by other respiratory diseases like bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, COVID-19, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Your Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC provider can test mucus samples to determine which virus or bacterial infection is causing your symptoms.

How are coughs and colds treated?

Self-care is all most people need to recover from coughs and colds. Plenty of rest, drinking fluids regularly, and eating easily digestible, small meals support your immune system so you get over the illness more quickly.

Over-the-counter medicines and cold remedies can also be helpful. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen reduces sinus pain, headaches, and muscle aches. Medicated lozenges and sprays can ease sore throats, and decongestants reduce mucus buildup in your nasal passages.

When should I seek medical help for a cough or cold?

You should contact Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC if your symptoms don’t improve within a few days or you have severe symptoms that self-care can’t manage. Your provider completes an exam and may run tests to identify your infection.

Your provider can prescribe antibiotic medications to kill bacteria that cause respiratory diseases. However, these drugs won’t work on viruses. Anti-viral medicines can help but are usually only needed for people with a high risk of complications.

Call Bowman Family Medicine Clinic, LLC, for help with a cough or cold and to arrange a consultation. You can also request an appointment online today.