University of Michigan Doctor-Spokesperson for the American Lung Association About Chronic Cough – Interview
Do You Know Someone Who’s Been Living with a Persistent Cough?
If so, they could be one of the 12 million adults in the United States living with chronic cough
Chronic cough is defined as a cough lasting longer than eight weeks in adults. Coughing is normally a reflex the body uses to protect the airway when it’s irritated from things like excessive mucus or harmful irritants, but in some people, that reflex may become disordered, leading to a persistent or chronic cough. People with this condition commonly cough in “bouts” they cannot control, and usually feel a strong urge to cough or a “tickle” in the throat before a coughing bout starts.
Chronic cough may have a physical, social and emotional impact on people.
Those with the condition may feel embarrassed or frustrated about their cough in social settings and experience depressive feelings. People may also experience dizziness, headaches, physical exhaustion and have trouble sleeping.
The Cough Chronicles, provides helpful information and resources like CoughTracker, a free, easy-to-use, healthy living app that can help track and visualize the number of times a person coughs over a certain time period. While it’s not a diagnostic tool, when used regularly, the app can provide people with details about potential patterns and possible triggers of their cough, which may help them have a productive discussion with their health care provider about their cough.
Join me in a recent interview with Dr. MeiLan Han,
volunteer medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association, and Bev Stewart, National Senior Director of Lung Diseases at the American Lung Association, who helps raise awareness of chronic cough, its impact and how people can find support through The Cough Chronicles.
See the entire interview here:
For more information, go to TheCoughChronicles.com
Guest Bios
- Dr. MeiLan Han is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at the University of Michigan. Dr. Han received her medical degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan. Dr. Han has also completed a Master’s Degree program in Biostatistics and Clinical Study Design at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She currently serves as a Volunteer National Medical Spokesperson for the American Lung Association.
- Bev Stewart is the National Senior Director of Lung Diseases at the American Lung Association. Bev oversees the organization’s nationwide lung disease programs, including supporting those with chronic cough through various organization initiatives.
Interview courtesy of Merck & Co., Inc.
