Cough
Coughing is a reflex action that is done to clear the throat of mucus or irritation from foreign objects. However, some health conditions can also cause a person to cough more often.
Most symptoms will disappear or at least improve significantly within two weeks. However, some last less than three weeks and are then referred to as acute cough.
If a cough lasts between three and eight weeks, improving at the end of that period, it is considered a subacute cough. A persistent cough that lasts more than eight weeks is a chronic cough.
You should see a doctor if you have a cough that is bloody or has a “barking” cough. You should also call your doctor if your condition does not improve within a few weeks, as this could indicate something more serious.
Symptoms of Cough
Most will recover, or at least improve significantly, within two weeks.
If you have a cough that doesn’t get better within that time, see a doctor, as it may be a symptom of a more serious problem.
If additional symptoms develop, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms to watch out for include:
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
Coughing up blood or difficulty breathing requires immediate emergency medical attention.
In addition, there are several other reasons to see a doctor immediately when experiencing a cough, including:
- Cough getting worse;
- There is swelling or a lump in the neck area;
- Weight loss;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Permanent voice change;
- Difficulty breathing.
In addition, coughing is usually accompanied by an itchy throat. Well, This is the Cause of an Itchy Throat When Coughing.
Risk Factors for Cough
Here are some factors that can increase a person’s risk of experiencing a cough:
- Inhalation of substances that irritate the respiratory tract;
- Smoking;
- Have allergies;
- Working in a place with high pollution.
Causes of Cough
This condition can be caused by several conditions, both temporary and permanent. Here are some of the causes:
Clear Throat
Coughing is a standard way to clear the throat. When the airways become blocked by mucus or foreign particles such as smoke or dust, coughing is a reflex reaction that attempts to clear the particles and make breathing easier.
Usually, this type of cough is relatively rare, but the intensity will increase with exposure to irritants such as smoke.
Viruses and Bacteria
The most common cause is a respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu. Respiratory infections are usually caused by viruses and can last from a few days to a week.
Infections caused by the flu may take longer to heal and sometimes require antibiotics.
Smoking
Smoking is a common cause. A cough caused by smoking is almost always a chronic cough with a distinctive sound.
Asthma
A common cause in young children is asthma. Typically, an asthmatic cough involves wheezing, making it easy to identify.
Asthma exacerbations should be treated with inhalers. It is possible for children to outgrow asthma as they get older.
Drug Side Effects
Some medications will cause coughing, although this is generally a rare side effect.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions, can cause this condition.
Two of the more common ones are:
- Zestril (lisinopril)
- Vasotec (enalapril)
The cough will usually stop when the medication is stopped.
Other Conditions
Other conditions that can cause a cough include:
- Damage to the vocal cords;
- Postnasal drip;
- Bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, whooping cough, and croup;
- Serious conditions such as pulmonary embolism and heart failure.
Another common condition that can cause chronic cough is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
In this condition, the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus. This backflow stimulates a reflex in the trachea that causes the person to cough.
Cough Diagnosis
If your doctor decides that your cough is caused by a common cold or flu, the general advice is to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and let it run its course.
In most cases, such a cough will disappear after 1–2 weeks.
However, a cough caused by a viral infection that lasts for more than a few weeks may require medical attention.
Your doctor may also ask you to do some diagnostic tests, such as a chest X-ray, a sputum sample can be sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine what is causing the infection.
The patient may be asked to breathe in and out of a tube attached to the machine.
This will help the doctor determine whether the airways are obstructed (this test is called spirometry), which is common in asthma or emphysema.
If asthma is diagnosed, the patient may be prescribed asthma medication. Sometimes, the doctor may also refer the patient to a lung or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
Cough Complications
Coughing usually won’t cause any long-term damage or symptoms. However, in some cases, severe coughing can cause temporary complications, such as:
- Fatigue.
- Dizzy.
- Headache.
- Broken ribs.
This is very rare, and will usually stop when the cough goes away.
A cough that is a symptom of a more serious condition is unlikely to go away on its own.
If left untreated, the condition can worsen and cause other symptoms.
Cough Treatment
Cough can be treated in a variety of ways, depending on the cause.
For healthy adults, most treatment will involve home care.
Home Care
Coughs caused by viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics. However, you can soothe it by doing the following:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Elevate your head with extra pillows when sleeping.
- Use cough medicine to soothe your throat.
- Gargle with warm salt water regularly to remove mucus and soothe your throat.
- Avoid irritants, including smoke and dust.
- Add honey or ginger to hot tea to soothe coughs and clear the airways.
- Use a decongestant spray to unclog your nose and make breathing easier.
Medical Care
Typically, medical care will involve a doctor looking down your throat, listening to your cough, and asking about other symptoms.
If your cough is likely caused by bacteria, your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics. You’ll usually need to take the medication for a week to completely cure your cough.
They may also prescribe an expectorant cough syrup or a cough suppressant containing codeine.
If your doctor can’t find the cause of your cough, they may order additional tests. These may include:
- Chest X-ray to assess whether the lungs are clear;
- Blood and skin tests if they suspect an allergic response;
- Analysis of sputum or mucus for signs of bacteria or TB.
It’s rare for a cough to be the only symptom of a heart problem, but your doctor may order an echocardiogram to make sure the heart is working properly and isn’t causing the cough.
Difficult cases may require additional testing, such as:
- CT Scan. A CT scan offers a more in-depth view of the airways and chest. This can be useful in determining the cause of a cough.
- Esophageal pH Monitoring. If a CT scan doesn’t show a cause, your doctor may refer you to a gastrointestinal specialist or a pulmonary (lung) specialist. One test these specialists may use is esophageal pH monitoring, which looks for evidence of GERD.
Cough Prevention
There are several ways to prevent coughing that you can do, including:
Stop Smoking
Smoking is a common contributor to chronic cough. However, it can be very difficult to cure a smoker’s cough.
There are a variety of methods available to help someone to quit smoking, from gadgets to advice groups and support networks.
After quitting smoking, a person will be much less likely to suffer from colds or chronic coughs.
Changes in Diet
A 2004 study found that people who ate a diet high in fruits, fiber, and flavonoids were less likely to experience chronic respiratory symptoms such as coughing.
If you need help adjusting your diet, your doctor may be able to suggest or refer you to a dietitian.
Managing Medical Conditions
If you can, you should avoid anyone who has a contagious illness, such as bronchitis, to avoid exposure to germs.
Wash your hands frequently and do not share eating utensils, towels, or pillows.
If you have a medical condition that increases your chances of developing a cough, such as GERD or asthma, talk to your doctor about different management strategies.
Once this condition is treated, the cough may disappear, or become less frequent.