Cough

Cough refers to reflex reaction that will keep the airways clean. Cough can happen due to other conditions such as respiratory infection and asthma. Even you can have cough for swallowing problem. Only your doctor can provide help in such instances.

What’s cough?

It is natural reflex for removing the irritants from the throat (upper) and lungs (lower) airways. It helps in healing and protecting the body on its own.

Kinds of cough

Different kinds of cough are there. They are classified depending on their persistence, sound and feel. Some refer to actual conditions too.

Depending on the persistence

If coughing is acute then it will last only for 2-3 weeks
Subacute cough begins right after the infection prolonging for 3-8 weeks
Chronic cough will last for about 8 weeks and sometimes they are called persistent cough
Refractory cough is also chronic and usually doesn’t response to treatment

Depending on phlegm or mucus

Wet or productive cough which brings up phlegm or mucus
Dry or non-productive cough that doesn’t bring up phlegm or mucus

Depending on unique sounds and specific conditions

Pertussis or whooping cough refers to the infection that makes the cough sounds like whoop.
If the cough seems like barking then it indicates croup sign.
When you experience cough with blocked airways it can be any infection such as cold or chronic conditions such as asthma.

Depending on the time of coughing

Daytime cough
Nocturnal (nighttime) cough
Cough that leads to vomiting. It often causes with kids and they cough hardly which result in gagging and vomiting

Who are prone to experience cough?

Cough is typical in nature. However, certain people are more prone to experience cough. They are:

Who take smoking substances such as marijuana or tobacco
Who vape a lot
Who suffer from chronic illnesses involving nervous system and lungs
Who have allergies
Who are kids as they often tend to fall ill

Common causes of cough

Some of the causes of cough are:

Allergens and irritants

Specific medications such as blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors
Mucus
Pet dander
Pollen
Dust
Mould
Strong smells (perfumes and cleaners)
Smoke

Medical conditions which lead to subacute and acute cough

Acute third- and second-hand smoke exposure
Allergies
Asthma
Whooping cough (Pertussis)
Pneumonia
Sinusitis
Bronchiolitis or acute bronchitis
Flu
Cold

Medical conditions which lead to chronic cough

Cardiac conditions and heart failure
Postnasal drip
Throat disorders like vocal cord disorders
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Lung conditions and COPD (Chronic Obtrusive Pulmonary Disease)
Allergies
Asthma
Chronic bronchitis

How can you prevent cough?

There are multiple ways for prevention of cough. The simple of them is to avoid the irritants. To prevent the infection-causing cough, you should:

Take vaccination for pneumonia, influenza and COVID-19
Don’t come into close contact of sick people
Avoid touching the mouth, nose and eyes
Wash the hands using hand sanitizers and soap and water

What are at-home treatments for cough?

Viral cough is not going to treat by antibiotics. But it is possible to soothe the cough in the given ways:

Staying hydrated with plenty of water
Elevating the head by resting the head with additional pillows at the time of sleeping
Using cough drops for soothing the throat
Gargling with warm salt water daily for removal of mucus
Don’t expose to irritants like dust and smoke
Add ginger or honey to your hot tea for relieving the cough and cleaning the airways
Apply decongestant sprays for unblocking the nose to ease your breathing

When to visit a doctor?

Sometimes when you or your kids have chronic cough it is necessary to visit a doctor. Doctor visit is must if you experience the following symptoms:

Phlegm (thick mucus or sputum) that is bloody, greenish or yellowish
Chills
Wheezing
Fever with about 101.5 F of the fever that persists for over couple of days

How to know if cough is serious?

Sometimes, your doctor will inquire about the medical history of the patient. Then they will order a few tests and physical exam. During the physical, the doctor will check for important signs like breathing number and temperature. Sometimes, they may monitor oxygen levels, order ling function test and chest X-ray in case the cough persists for long.

Does pregnancy cause cough?

Pregnancy won’t lead to coughing but a change in immune system can! Therefore, it is obvious to catch cold or cough during pregnancy which will last longer. If it persists longer than usual then you need to visit the doctor.

What cough after eating represents?

If eating causes you cough then there is something wrong! May be the food goes to lungs rather than the stomach. Upper airway is there to stop the drink and food from entering the lungs. Sometimes food goes through windpipe which results in coughing. But there is nothing serious at all. This condition is regarded as aspiration. In case it happens with you frequently then you must contact with the doctor. There can be some issues with lungs and digestive problem.

Cough complications

Generally, cough is not serious at all and will not cure if it takes place because of following complications:

Weight loss and ankle swelling
Fainting
Breathing shortness
Fever
Wheezing
Coughing with thick mucus which is yellow or green in colour

You must see the doctor immediately if you feel:

Vomiting or chocking
Swallowing or breathing difficulty
Chest pain
Pink-tinged or bloody phlegm because of different lung conditions

What is important to know about COVID-19 and cough?

Cough is a significant COVID-19 symptom. Sometimes, it can affect you as post-COVID syndrome too. Being infected by Coronavirus, cough will be there for a few months or weeks. This will accompany by other symptoms as well like trouble breathing, trouble concentrating and fatigue. If you are suspecting an infection then, contact with the doctor regarding COVID-19 test.

Check the doctors whom you can visit for check up: