Coughing is a reflex to clear the airways of debris and irritation. Many different illnesses and irritants can lead to a cough, which can make it difficult to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your symptoms. If you’re experiencing a dry cough, it is important to seek medical treatment for proper diagnosis and treatment. At AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction, our walk-in clinic offers same-day care for coughs 7 days a week. If you live in Grand Junction, CO or one of the surrounding communities and require convenient illness care, walk into our clinic!
Dry Cough vs Productive Cough
Coughing is our body’s natural way of clearing the airways of debris and irritants. However, coughing uncontrollably, pain while coughing, or coughing up mucus all are signs that your cough could be caused by an infection in your lungs. There are two categories of coughs: productive coughs and dry coughs. Productive coughs result in coughing up mucus, while dry coughs don’t produce any mucus. Identifying whether you have a productive cough or a dry cough can help diagnose the underlying infection.
At-Home Remedies for a Dry Cough
If you’re suffering from a cough, it is important to seek medical care. When left untreated, coughs can worsen over time and develop into secondary infections like pneumonia or bronchitis. There are a few ways that you can help manage a cough at home. Using OTC medications such as decongestants and cough suppressants can help reduce symptoms. Similarly, drinking warm liquids like tea and using cough drops can soothe sore throats caused by coughing. Warm showers and staying hydrated can help break up any mucus in the lungs and help it escape faster. While these strategies can help keep you comfortable in the short term, at-home remedies are not a replacement for seeking medical care for treatment.
Cough Diagnosis & Treatment near Grand Junction, CO
There are many different conditions that can cause a cough. Dry coughs are often associated with viral infections, asthma, and exposure to environmental irritants. However, you should seek medical care for a medical diagnosis of your symptoms. Identifying the underlying cause of your symptoms is the most effective way to treat them.
When you visit urgent care for a dry cough, your medical provider will discuss your symptoms and medical history. They will listen to your lungs for signs of an infection, and may perform diagnostic testing to identify the kind of infection causing your symptoms. Treatment options for coughs can vary. While some will go away on their own with proper management, certain infections may require the use of inhalers or antibiotics to resolve the underlying infection.
Walk Into AFC Grand Junction for Convenient Illness Treatment in Grand Junction, CO
If you’re experiencing a dry cough and need rapid symptom relief, AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction can help. Our board-certified medical providers are trained to expertly diagnose the cause of common conditions such as coughs, and provide the necessary treatment to get you back to feeling your best. We’re open 7 days a week and accept walk-in patients daily. Simply walk into the clinic for rapid care when you need it!
