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WHAT DOES A COUGH MEAN?
A cough that everyone experiences from time to time, but does not focus on much, can sometimes indicate serious illnesses. Turkey Medicals member and Otolaryngologist Associate doctor in Antalya drew attention to these diseases….
Cough is a defense mechanism of the body that serves to remove secretions and foreign bodies from the respiratory tract. Therefore it has an effective and useful function in healthy people. Sometimes, however, a condition that should be ignored. Turkish Otolaryngologist Assoc. Dr. explained what needs to be known about coughing as follows.
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BEWARE OF TUBERCULOSIS AND COPD
Cough can basically be divided into phlegm-free and non-phlegm-free. These two can be studied by dividing them into subgroups within themselves. For example, dry coughs, dry coughs due to pharyngitis, irritation (smoke, etc.) it can be divided into the form of connected coughs. Viral infections, both in the area of the nose and pharynx, as well as infections of the bronchi and alveoli of the ends of the lungs, can also cause coughing. Viral upper respiratory tract infections, which we call colds among people, are the most typical example.
Similarly, bacterial infections are again common factors. The most well-known example here is sinusitis. Tuberculosis is a serious infection that has tended to increase in recent years and manifests itself by coughing. Conditions that irritate the mucosa that are perceived as foreign in the respiratory tract, such as inhaling smoke, smoking, air pollution, are tried to be removed by coughing. Chronic, Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD, known as chronic bronchitis, can be considered among the common conditions in people who smoke.
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EXCITEMENT CAN EVEN TRIGGER
Cough also appears as a symptom of reflux. In cases where the acid has passed through the upper esophageal duct, a cough due to irritation of the acid may occur. Reflux should be among the differential diagnoses, especially for that occur at night while lying down. In neurological diseases and vocal cord paralysis, food and drinks that enter the respiratory tract during swallowing are especially common in the elderly patient group. In some patients, a cough may also occur with a feeling of anxiety and excitement.
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ONE REASON MAY ALSO BE AN ALLERGY
Dry cough is most often due to pharyngitis. It is especially common in the early stages of upper respiratory tract infections. It begins with a burning sensation in the throat. In young children, it can also occur in tracheitis or bronchitis, when the infection gets under the vocal cords. If sinusitis develops in the later stages or bronchitis progresses, the cough becomes phlegmatic. In cases of poisoning and the like, a cough with a sudden onset appears again.
Reflux should be considered as a priority if the coughs that increase at night are dry, and sinusitis if they are phlegmatic. With prolonged coughs, it is necessary to turn to different diagnoses. The most common chronic pharyngitis and laryngitis that we encounter in otolaryngological practice are. Patients with prolonged nasal congestion or reflux make up the majority of this group. Such patients have a dry cough and a concomitant need for throat cleansing.
Allergic complaints should be considered for prolonged phlegm coughs. Bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis and lung cancer can cause chronic cough. Caution should be exercised in terms of chronic bronchitis and lung cancer in people who smoke.
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WHEN SHOULD A TURKISH DOCTOR BE CONSULTED?
A doctor in Turkey should be consulted if the cough does not pass within 10 days despite treatment from the very beginning. Upper respiratory tract infections usually resolve between the range of 7-10 days. It should be taken into account that after this period there may be different diseases. coughs that exceed 3 weeks can be a harbinger of chronic diseases.
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.