The doctor explained how long a cough lasts after a cold and when to see a doctor.

Dr. Jeff Foster - new resident doctor at The Sun on Sunday

According to The Sun: Doctor Jeff, 43, is a family doctor in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and owns H3 Health clinic, which specializes in hormone issues for both men and women.

Q: I GOT STUCK WITH MY LEFT NOSE WHILE PLAYING FOOTBALL FOUR WEEKS AGO.

His head hit me in the nose, which immediately started bleeding, but it doesn't look broken.

My nose starts bleeding immediately. If I sneeze - it bleeds and gets blocked.

Will it heal on its own, or do I need to see a doctor?

Liam Smith, Newcastle upon Tyne

Nasal injuries can be quite painful due to their location and structure. Initially, it's hard to determine if there is a fracture because cartilage isn't visible on an X-ray, and therefore nasal fractures must be diagnosed clinically. The nose is very vascular, so it often bleeds when struck. I advise seeking hospital attention in the event of nasal injury complications, if they are accompanied by significant bleeding that doesn’t stop, causes an open or penetrating wound, significant deformations, or if you have difficulty breathing. This last point is important as nasal trauma can sometimes cause a septal hematoma. This is swelling that occurs in one nostril due to a ruptured blood vessel affecting the septum and compromising blood supply to the cartilage or tip of the nose, which can lead to long-term complications. Most fractures heal in six weeks. If bleeding is still present and you feel blocked, consult a doctor.

Q: I AM 43 AND HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT A COUGH FOR FOUR WEEKS, IT STARTED WITH A COLD BUT HAS NOT GONE AWAY.

At night I cough in bed, and in the morning I cough up phlegm and have a runny nose.

I eat well, exercise a lot, and take vitamins. Are there any other tips on how I can help myself?

Jane Werrier, Oxford

At 43, if you have a cough but overall feel well, with no serious medical history or lung pathologies, and you do not smoke, then four weeks of recovery from a viral infection is not too long. There is a notion that if a cough lasts more than two weeks, it needs to be checked, but the more important thing are other symptoms that may prevent the cough from getting better. In your case, the production of phlegm in the nose is what is causing your cough. Every night when you lie down, the phlegm drains down your throat and ends up in your upper airways, causing you to cough all morning. Focus your efforts on stopping phlegm production in your nose - rest, eat healthily, avoid stress, and give your body a chance to recover. Talk to a pharmacist to find out what medications may help. If the cough continues despite recovering from the cold, see a doctor.