What Is a Cough?
We all cough. You can have a mild cough that can be annoying or a severe cough that can be so harsh it can break a rib.
Experts say coughing is the top reason people see a doctor — more than 30 million visits a year. You can have an acute cough, one that comes on suddenly, like during a cold, or a chronic cough, which lasts more than eight weeks in adults and four weeks in children.
Your first step toward relief is to identify the type of cough you have and what's causing it. Then, consider your symptoms. With that info, you can choose the best treatment.
Types of Coughs
A cough is supposed to protect you. It gets out stuff that doesn't belong in your lungs and windpipe, such as inhaled dirt or food. But it can also be caused by other things. How long a cough lasts depends on what's causing it.
There are several classifications for coughs. They include:
- Productive cough. Also called a wet cough, this cough brings up mucus or phlegm.
- Nonproductive cough. This is a dry cough that doesn't bring up mucus or phlegm.
- Acute cough. It comes on suddenly and lasts two to three weeks.
- Subacute cough. This type lingers after you've had an infection and can last three weeks.
- Chronic cough. This is a cough that lasts eight weeks for adults and four weeks for children and may require medical attention.
- Refractory cough. This is a chronic cough that hasn't responded to treatment.
What Is a Cough Reflex?
Coughing is your body's natural reflex, a response to something that affects your throat or airway. It's mostly a healthy response because your body is trying to protect you. Food caught in your throat, mucus in your airway, or even certain types of medications can send a message to your brain, telling your chest and stomach muscles to tighten up and push air out of your lungs, making you cough.
What Causes a Cough?
There are many common triggers for both "productive" (or wet) coughs and "nonproductive" (or dry) coughs. Productive coughs help get mucus out of your lungs. Dry coughs don't produce anything.
Wet Cough Causes
Viruses. Colds and the flu are the most common causes of a productive cough although you might have a dry cough long after you've had a cold. It can last weeks. This could be because coughing irritates your lungs, which leads to more coughing, which irritates your lungs, and so on.
Postnasal drip. When you're congested, mucus can drip down from your nose into the back of your throat, making you cough. You can get postnasal drip from colds, flu, sinus infections, allergies, and other problems.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These illnesses can weaken the tubes in your airway and the tiny sacs that pass oxygen into your blood. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD.
Heart conditions. Heart failure can cause a chronic cough. If your heart isn't working properly, fluid can build up in your lungs.
Dry Cough Causes
Dry coughs are usually caused by something that irritates your airways or throat.
Irritants. Even if you don't have allergies, things such as cigarette smoke or strong perfumes can set off a hacking spell.
Allergies and asthma. If you have allergies or asthma, you may have triggers such as mold or dust. Inhaling these can cause your airways to overreact.
Acid reflux. When you have heartburn, stomach acids back up into your throat, especially when you're lying down. This reflux can irritate your windpipe, vocal cords, and throat and make you cough.
Cough Treatment
Treating a cough depends on the cause. Options include:
Medicines
Over-the-counter cough remedies can help in many ways. Suppressants are supposed to lessen your urge to cough. Expectorants thin mucus and make it easier to hack up. If you have a wet cough though, you need to bring that mucus up from your lungs.
Be careful when choosing over-the-counter cough medicines because some people shouldn't take them. They can interact with some prescription medications and may cause problems if you are older than 60, or have asthma, high blood pressure, glaucoma, or an enlarged prostate.
Avoid Triggers
If you have allergies or asthma, try to remove allergens from your home. You won't see the effects right away, but if you stay away from what bothers you, you should start to feel better.
Home Remedies for Cough
There are many things you can try at home to ease your cough, such as:
- Drink warm fluids to soothe your throat
- Stay hydrated
- Gargle with salt water if your throat is sore
- Sleep with your head and chest elevated
- Try cough drops if your throat is irritated
- Moisturize the air you breathe with a vaporizer or humidifier
Some people find honey soothing for a cough but don't give it to a child under 1 year old. Honey can have bacteria that can cause serious illness in infants.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.