Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Had A Cough On And Off For Years , It
Question: Had a cough on and off for years , it always starts after a cold and takes about 4 months to go I have no fever and no blood I’m scared it lung cancer I do cough have phlegm especially in the morning
Brief Answer:
not likely lung cancer, may have a post nasal drip
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
If the cough has been ongoing for years, starts with a cold- then it is not likely related to lung cancer
Lung cancer is progressive, it would get worse without treatment, in fact there are persons who get worse despite being treated.
If the cough was related to lung cancer, it would not start and stop and it would not be associated with cold symptoms. The coughing would progressively get worse and worse, there would be additional symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain and weight loss (any cancer untreated for years would spread and cause weight loss).
The cold can be associated with cough and some can have a cough after all of the other cold symptoms have stopped, this is called post viral cough/post infectious cough.
Besides an acute infection (the cold), one of the most common reasons for a persistent cough is post nasal drip of mucus to the back of the throat.
Post nasal drip of mucus would also cause mucus in the throat on mornings
If it is bothersome then the use of a nasal spray such as nasonex/flixonase may help along with anti histamine/decongestant combination.
The decongestants help even if there is no nasal congestion, they help to dry up the mucus in throat
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
not likely lung cancer, may have a post nasal drip
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
If the cough has been ongoing for years, starts with a cold- then it is not likely related to lung cancer
Lung cancer is progressive, it would get worse without treatment, in fact there are persons who get worse despite being treated.
If the cough was related to lung cancer, it would not start and stop and it would not be associated with cold symptoms. The coughing would progressively get worse and worse, there would be additional symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain and weight loss (any cancer untreated for years would spread and cause weight loss).
The cold can be associated with cough and some can have a cough after all of the other cold symptoms have stopped, this is called post viral cough/post infectious cough.
Besides an acute infection (the cold), one of the most common reasons for a persistent cough is post nasal drip of mucus to the back of the throat.
Post nasal drip of mucus would also cause mucus in the throat on mornings
If it is bothersome then the use of a nasal spray such as nasonex/flixonase may help along with anti histamine/decongestant combination.
The decongestants help even if there is no nasal congestion, they help to dry up the mucus in throat
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
