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Cough treatment appointments

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About Cough

When anything irritates your throat or airways, your body responds with a cough. The reflex to cough comes from an impulse in your brain to push air out of your lungs and drive out whatever may be irritating you.

Coughing sometimes is quite natural and healthy. A cough that lasts for several weeks or produces yellow or bloody mucus may signal a medical problem that requires treatment. Coughing for an extended period might irritate the lungs and lead to additional health problems such as insomnia, dizziness or fainting, migraines, and vomiting. Long-term, vigorous coughing can even lead to broken ribs.

If your cough hasn’t cleared up within a couple of weeks, or if it brings up blood or mucus, talk to a doctor right away. In these cases, the cough could be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition.

Because coughing is so common, there are a large number of treatment options to help reduce the symptoms and discomfort related to coughing. During your appointment, talk to your doctor about what treatment plans are right for you.

Warm fluids, inhaling warm, moist air, or a spoonful of honey in hot tea may all help soothe a cough. You can also choose a cough drop with honey to relieve an irritated throat.

If you are a smoker, quit smoking. Smoking is not only extremely damaging to your throat and lungs, but it can negatively affect the throat and lungs of those around you.

Remove allergens and irritants from your house if you suffer from allergies or asthma. During pollen season, use air conditioners to filter the air. Clean the surfaces of your home to get rid of dust and dirt that can irritate your breathing. If you have pets, don’t let them into your bedroom. Animal fur and dander can irritate your breathing and cause coughing attacks. If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoking and vaping are incredibly harmful to your lungs and can cause or worsen a cough.

Depending on the cause of your cough, over-the-counter medications can help relieve symptoms. Common forms of medication used to treat symptoms of a cough include:

- Antihistamines & decongestants: These drugs thin mucus, making it easier to clear from your throat. By removing mucus and harmful microbes from your airways, these medications help make breathing easier. This, in turn, reduces the cough reflex.

- Antibiotics: Certain cases of coughing may be caused by a bacterial infection. Antibiotics help clear the body of harmful bacteria, which helps treat conditions such as bronchitis, sinus infections, and pneumonia.

- Asthma medication: Inhaled asthma medication releases corticosteroids into the airways, reducing inflammation and making it easier to breathe. Chronic coughing may be a sign of untreated asthma and should be addressed by a doctor right away.

- Acid reflux medication: Chronic coughing can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD). Proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole, pantoprazole) or antacids (such as famotidine) can help relieve symptoms of GERD and reduce related coughing.

FAQs

Have more questions about booking care on Sesame?

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Medically reviewed by:Dr. Allison Edwards, MD

It depends on your needs! Virtual care (telemedicine) is convenient for discussing symptoms, prescriptions, and general concerns. However, some health appointments, like physical exams, surgeries, or certain lab tests, require an in-person visit.

If you're not sure what type of medical care to book, start with a virtual visit through Sesame – your provider can advise if in-person care is needed. You can also learn more about telehealth vs in-person care here.

Sesame makes it easy to find and pay for care directly, allowing you to book an in-person or telehealth appointment in just a few minutes. To get started, follow these steps:

  • Search for telehealth or in-person appointments by specialty, condition, or provider
  • Choose a provider at a price and time that works for you
  • Pay for your appointment online, upfront
  • Complete a brief medical history form before your appointment

At your scheduled time, you’ll either join your telehealth appointment or visit the provider in person, depending on the type of care selected.

Telemedicine (also sometimes called "telehealth") is a form of virtual care that healthcare professionals offer patients looking for efficient, flexible care. With telemedicine, you can speak with a doctor about your symptoms and work to develop a treatment plan that's right for you - without the hassle of having to drive to different doctors' offices or navigate confusing insurance copays. If you've already seen a doctor and need a second opinion or more clarity on your condition, you can schedule a quick and easy telemedicine appointment to get your questions answered on your own time.

Telehealth appointments also called telemedicine are medical visits that take place over face-to-face real-time video with fully licensed medical professionals including doctors or nurse practitioners.

You can get care online for a wide range of health needs on Sesame, including:

  • Prescription refills
  • Urgent care visits (cold & flu, UTIs, COVID, sinus infections, back pain, nausea, sports injuries, wound care, etc)
  • Primary care visits (doctor’s notes, chronic conditions such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc)
  • Weight loss
  • Dermatology (acne, eczema, rashes, etc.)
  • Sexual health (BV, ED consults, at-home STD test kit, etc.)
  • Women’s health (birth control, vaginal infections, yeast infections, menopause, PCOS, etc.)
  • Mental health (therapy and psychiatry for anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD & more)
  • Pediatrics (ear infections, strep throat, pink eye, etc.)

    If you are experiencing a medical emergency, do not use telemedicine. Instead, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

Telehealth is primarily used to increase access to quality health care for individuals around the world. Many people have a hard time finding a quality clinic, or do not have the time to sit in waiting rooms before an appointment. Currently, the coronavirus pandemic has made people nervous about office visits. Telehealth can help calm these anxieties by letting you receive your routine check-up or discuss non-urgent symptoms without having to leave home.

To book an online doctor appointment on Sesame, simply use our search bar to look up your health concerns (such as "prescription refill", "weight loss", or "UTI").

From there, simply browse providers, choose a time that works for you, and complete your checkout. You’ll receive a booking confirmation with a link for your video visit, which you can join from your desktop, tablet or smartphone.

After you book a video appointment, you will receive both an initial confirmation and a reminder via email and text.

There are three ways in which a video visit can be accessed:

  1. Select the Join virtual appointment button in your booking confirmation email. If you have an existing account or created one at purchase, log in at sesamecare.com, navigate to My appointments, then select Join virtual appointment.
  2. Click the link in the text message sent to you 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
  3. Log into your Sesame account through the mobile app or web browser, and join your visit from there.

If you're using a web browser, we suggest using Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to connect to your visit.

Yes! Providers on Sesame meet the highest standards of quality. Many medical conditions can be immediately and conveniently diagnosed during a telehealth appointment.

After booking your telehealth appointment on Sesame, you will receive a link to test the phone, tablet, or computer where you will speak with your provider.

Sesame will send you a unique and secure webpage for you to access your telehealth appointment directly from your web browser or mobile app. In the rare case that you run into any technical issues, our friendly support team is available to walk you through any challenges.

After you book your appointment, you’ll receive a video link via text and/or email. Simply click that link at your scheduled appointment time to join your video visit.

You can join your appointment using your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

  • On a smartphone or tablet: Download the Sesame Care app for the best experience.
  • On a computer: Just use a web browser like Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox.

    While Sesame supports face-to-face video communications, turning on your video is not required if this makes you uncomfortable.

No! Sesame is available to everyone regardless of insurance status, and we do not bill health insurance in order to keep prices affordable for all. This means you don’t need to worry about surprise bills, specialist referrals or insurance coverage to access high-quality care.

Yes, physicians on Sesame can prescribe a wide range of medications, which can be useful for infections, allergies, and other acute ailments. Please note that they will not prescribe certain drugs, such as narcotics or medications that have been designated controlled substances through telehealth.

Otherwise, many of the prescriptions available in an office setting or urgent care can be prescribed if your clinician deems it appropriate.

Sometimes! Depending on the prescription medication that you need refilled, you may be able to get a prescription refill without direct consultation with your doctor. Based on the medication you need and the state you live in, you might be able to get your prescription refilled online.

Telehealth has made it easier than ever to get in touch with a health care professional for a prescription refill. Sesame offers convenient and affordable 15-minute video visits with real, quality doctors in , so you can refill your prescription without the hassle of going to a doctor's office. It's simple: Search for the care you need, compare prices, and book a refill visit on your schedule.

Note: You cannot refill a prescription for a controlled substance without a doctor's consultation. Doctors on Sesame cannot prescribe narcotics or medication classified as controlled substances.

Any service listed on Sesame can be treated by doctors on the platform. Any specific exclusions to an appointment can be found in the service description. Telehealth appointments will not result in a prescription for controlled substances. If you are looking for a prescription for controlled substances, you should find a local clinician with whom you can establish an in-person relationship.

Benzonatate is a prescription medication used to relieve coughing. Benzonatate helps numb the throat and lungs, reducing the reflex to cough.

Doctors prescribe benzonatate to alleviate coughs caused by the common cold, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. It is a non-narcotic cough medication, meaning that it is not generally habit-forming. While benzonatate can help quickly suppress your cough, it does not treat the underlying condition causing the cough.

Benzonatate is used to relieve coughing caused by the common cold or other respiratory conditions like pneumonia or asthma.

Benzonatate belongs to a family of drugs known as antitussives. More commonly known as cough suppressants, these medications numb the respiratory passages and lungs to reduce the cough reflex. This ultimately reduces your urge to cough.

Benzonatate is a fast-acting cough suppressant. After ingesting the small gel-filled capsule, you will start to feel benzonatate work within 30 minutes. You may start feeling results as early as 15-20 minutes after ingestion. Benzonatate works by numbing the air passages and lungs, which leads to a reduced cough reflex and cough relief. These effects will normally last anywhere between 3-8 hours.

While there are some common side effects associated with benzonatate, it is important to remember that your doctor prescribed this medication because its effectiveness as a cough suppressor outweighs the adverse effects it may cause.

Common side effects of benzonatate may include:

  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Drowsiness
  • Constipation
  • Stuffy nose

Rare but serious side effects may include:

  • Rash or hives
  • Itching
  • Tightening of the throat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Numbness of the chest
  • Confusion

If these symptoms persist - or if you are experiencing any severe symptoms - contact your doctor immediately.

This is not a complete list of benzonatate side effects. To learn more about adverse reactions you may experience while taking this drug, visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.

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