How to treat a cough?

Hello! My husband has a very strong cough that has not gone away for more than six months. I ask him to quit smoking, but everything is in vain... He believes that sooner or later the cough will go away on its own. Should I worry?

Anna, Perm

Dr. Alexander Andreev:

- Indeed, smoking can be the cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the manifestations of which is a long-lasting cough.

However, there are other, more serious diseases - tuberculosis and tumors in the lungs. They must be excluded before talking about “smoker’s cough.” Therefore, I advise you to undergo an x-ray examination and consultation with a pulmonologist.