Why Am I Coughing?
Why Am I Coughing?
What you need to know about coughing
An acute cough is defined as a cough that lasts shorter than three weeks. Within two weeks, most coughing episodes will clear up or at least greatly improve.
A subacute cough is defined as one that lasts three to eight weeks and improves by the end of that time. A chronic cough is defined as a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks.
If you’re coughing up blood or have a “barking” cough, you should consult a doctor. If your cough hasn’t improved after a few weeks, you should contact them because it could be a sign of anything more serious.
Symptoms of a cough
Coughs can be acute or persistent in nature. Acute coughs start suddenly and last for less than three weeks. This is the cough that most people experience when they have a cold, the flu, or acute bronchitis.
Coughs that linger longer than eight weeks are considered chronic (or longer than four weeks in children). A chronic cough might wake you up in the middle of the night and cause fatigue. It can also be accompanied by additional indications and symptoms, such as:
- A runny or stuffy nose
- A feeling of liquid running down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)
- Frequent throat clearing and sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth
- Rarely, coughing up blood
What causes a cough?
Clearing the throat
A respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or flu, is the most prevalent cause of cough.
A virus causes respiratory tract infections, which can last anywhere from a few days to a week. Infections caused by the flu can take a bit longer to heal and may require medications in rare cases.
Exacerbations of asthma should be treated with an inhaler. As children get older, they may be able to grow out of their asthma.
Coughing is a common side effect of several drugs, but it is a rare occurrence. Coughing is a side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are often used to treat high blood pressure and cardiac diseases.
The following are two of the most common:
- Zestril (lisinopril)
- Vasotec (enalapril)
When the medication is stopped, the coughing stops.
Coughing can also be caused by the following conditions:
- Damage to the vocal cords
- Sleep apnea
- Bacterial infections such as pneumonia, whooping cough, and croup
- Serious conditions such as pulmonary embolism and heart failure
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is another prevalent cause of chronic cough. Stomach contents flow back into the oesophagus in this scenario. This backflow triggers a tracheal reflex, causing the sufferer to cough.
What Does My Cough Type Indicate?
What Does My Cough Type Indicate?
Your neurological system sends a signal to your brain when something irritates your throat or airway. Your brain reacts by instructing your chest and abdominal muscles to contract and exhale a burst of air.
Coughing is a vital protective response that helps your body protect itself from irritants such as:
- Mucus
- Smoke
- Allergens, such as dust, mould, and pollen
Coughing can be a sign of a variety of illnesses and ailments. The characteristics of your cough might sometimes help you figure out what’s causing it.
Coughs can be classified as follows:
- Behaviour or experience – What causes the cough and when does it occur? Is it at night, after a meal, or during working out?
- Characteristics – What does your cough sound like and what does it feel like? Wet or dry hacking?
- Duration – Do you have a cough that lasts less than two weeks, six weeks, or eight weeks?
- Effects – Do you have symptoms like urine incontinence, vomiting, or insomnia as a result of your cough?
- Grade – Is it really that bad? Is it bothersome, chronic, or incapacitating?
Your cough reflex is triggered by an impediment in your airway on occasion. If you or your child has consumed something that may be obstructing your airway, seek medical help right once. Choking symptoms include:
- Skin that is bluish
- Loss of consciousness
- Not being able to speak or cry
- Breathing noises such as wheezing, whistling, or other strange breathing noises
- Coughing that is weak or ineffectual
- Panic
Call 999 and do the Heimlich manoeuvre or CPR if you see any of these signs.
Wet Cough
A wet cough, also known as a productive cough, is one that produces mucus.
Wet coughs are usually caused by a cold or the flu. They might appear gradually or suddenly, and they may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as:
- Runny nose
- Postnasal drip
- Fatigue
Wet coughs sound wet because mucus is being pushed out of your respiratory system, which includes:
- Throat
- Nose
- Lungs
- Airways
You may feel something trapped or dripping at the back of your throat or in your chest if you have a wet cough. Mucus may enter your mouth as a result of some of your coughs.
Coughs can be acute, lasting less than three weeks, or chronic, lasting more than eight weeks in adults and four weeks in children. The length of a cough might reveal a lot about its cause.
The following are some of the conditions that might induce a wet cough:
- A cold or the flu
- Pneumonia
- Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are examples of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Bronchitis (acute)
- Asthma
Coughs that persist fewer than three weeks in newborns, toddlers, and children are usually invariably caused by a cold or the flu.
Remedies for a wet cough
- Toddlers and babies. Use a cool-mist humidifier to help. You can also use saline drops in the nasal passages followed by a bulb syringe to wipe the nose. Cough and cold medications sold over the counter (OTC) should not be given to children under the age of two.
- Children. In a small clinical experiment, 1 1/2 teaspoons of honey given half an hour before bedtime reduced cough and improved sleep in children aged 1 and above. To hydrate the air at night, use a humidifier. Before using over-the-counter cough and cold drugs as a treatment, consult your doctor.
- Adults. Adults can relieve acute wet coughs with over-the-counter cough and cold symptom relievers or honey. Antibiotics or other treatments may be required if a cough lasts longer than three weeks.
Dry Cough
A dry cough is one that does not produce any mucus. Your cough reflex may be triggered by a tickle at the back of your throat, resulting in hacking coughs.
Dry coughs can be difficult to control and can come in fits. Dry coughs occur when your respiratory tract is inflamed or irritated, but there is no additional mucus to cough up.
Upper respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu, are frequently the cause of dry coughs.
Dry coughs are frequent in both children and adults for several weeks after a cold or the flu has passed. Dry cough can also be caused by the following factors:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Croup
- Exposure to irritants such as air pollution, dust, or smoke
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Laryngitis
- Medications, especially ACE inhibitors
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
- Tonsillitis
One of the most common COVID-19 symptoms is a dry cough. Fever and shortness of breath are two more COVID-19 symptoms. The NHS recommends the following if you’re sick and suspect you might have COVID-19:
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19 – everyone aged 12 and over can book vaccination appointments now
- Meet people outside if possible
- Open doors and windows to let in fresh air if meeting people inside
- Limit the number of people you meet and avoid crowded places
- Wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and when it’s hard to stay away from other people (particularly indoors or in crowded places)
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day
If you suffer any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:
- Trouble breathing
- Heaviness or tightness in the chest
- Bluish lips
- Confusion
Learn more at this resource page for COVID-19.
Remedies for a dry cough
The reason for dry cough influences the treatment options.
- Toddlers and babies. Dry coughs in babies and toddlers usually do not require treatment. A humidifier can help them feel more at ease. Bring your youngster into a steamy bathroom or outside in the cool night air to treat croup breathing.
- Children. A humidifier will keep their respiratory system moist and prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Cough drops can also be used to treat sore throats in older children. If their symptoms last longer than three weeks, consult your doctor about possible explanations. Antibiotics, antihistamines, or asthma treatments may be required for your youngster.
- Adults. Adults with chronic, long-term dry cough might have a variety of causes. Symptoms such as discomfort and heartburn should be reported to your doctor. Antibiotics, antacids, asthma drugs, or more tests may be required. Tell your doctor about all of the medications and supplements you’re using right now.
Paroxysmal cough
Paroxysmal cough is characterised by strong, uncontrollable coughing bouts. It’s tiresome and difficult to have a paroxysmal cough. People may vomit if they are unable to take a breath.
The bacterial infection pertussis, popularly known as whooping cough, causes intense coughing fits.
The lungs release all of the air they have during whooping cough bouts, forcing patients to inhale violently with a “whoop” sound.
Babies are more susceptible to whooping cough and are more likely to have significant complications as a result of it. Whooping cough is potentially fatal for them.
The easiest approach to avoid contracting pertussis is to get vaccinated at the age of two months and olderTrusted Source.
Paroxysmal coughs are a common side effect of whooping cough. Other factors that may contribute to a bad coughing fit include:
- Asthma
- Choking
- COPD
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
Whooping cough is treated with antibiotics in people of all ages.
Because whooping cough is very contagious, family members and caregivers of someone who has it should be treated as well. The sooner whooping cough is diagnosed and treated, the better.
Croup cough
Croup is a viral infection that most commonly affects children under the age of five.
The upper airway becomes inflamed and enlarged as a result of croup. Airways in young toddlers are already narrower. It gets difficult to breathe as the swelling narrows the airway further.
Croup generates a distinctive “barking” cough, similar to that of a seal. A raspy voice and squeaky breathing noises are also caused by swelling in and around the voice box.
Croup can be frightening for both kids and parents. Children may:
- struggle for breath
- while inhaling, create high-pitched noises
- breathe very rapidly
In extreme cases, children become pale or bluish.
Croup normally goes away on its own within a few days. The following are some examples of home remedies:
- Installing a cool-mist humidifier in their bedroom
- Allowing the child to spend up to 10 minutes in a steam-filled bathroom allowing the child to breathe fresh air
- Taking the child for a car ride with the windows half-open to let in some fresh air
- As advised by your paediatrician, administering children’s acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever
- Ensuring that your child gets plenty of rest and drinks plenty of fluids
- In extreme situations, a nebulizer breathing treatment or a prescription steroid to reduce inflammation may be required.
When to call a doctor
Within two weeks, most coughs will clear up, or at the very least greatly improve. If your cough hasn’t improved during this time, consult a doctor because it could be a sign of something more serious.
If you acquire any new symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms to be aware of include:
- Fever
- Chest pains
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
If you’re coughing up blood or having trouble breathing, seek emergency medical help, call 999.
Treatment
Depending on the reason, coughs can be treated in a variety of ways. The majority of treatments for healthy adults will include self-care.
Treatment at home
Antibiotics cannot be used to treat a virus-induced cough. You may, however, calm it down by doing the following:
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- When sleeping, elevate your head with additional pillows.
- To calm your throat, use cough drops.
- To clear mucus and soothe your throat, gargle with warm saltwater on a daily basis.
- Smoke and dust are irritants to avoid.
- To alleviate your cough and cleanse your airway, add honey or ginger to hot tea.
- To unclog your nose and make breathing easier, use decongestant sprays.
More cough cures can be found here.
Medical treatment
Typically, medical treatment entails your doctor peering down your throat, listening to your cough, and inquiring about any other symptoms you may be experiencing.
Your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics if your cough is caused by bacteria. To fully treat the cough, you’ll normally need to take the prescription for a week. They may also prescribe expectorant cough syrups or codeine-based cough suppressants.
If your doctor can’t figure out what’s causing your cough, he or she may prescribe more testing. This could involve the following:
- An X-ray of your chest to see if your lungs are clear
- If they suspect an allergic reaction, they should get blood and skin tests.
- Analysis of sputum or mucus for evidence of bacteria or tuberculosis
Although cough is rarely the lone sign of heart problems, your doctor may order echocardiography to confirm that your heart is operating properly and isn’t the source of your cough.
Additional testing may be required in difficult cases:
- CT scan is a type of x-ray. A CT scan gives you a better look into your airways and chest. It can help you figure out what’s causing your cough.
- pH monitoring in the oesophagus. Your doctor may refer you to a gastrointestinal specialist or a pulmonary (lung) specialist if the CT scan does not reveal the cause. Oesophageal pH monitoring, which searches for signs of GERD, is one of the tests these specialists may use.
Doctors may give cough suppressants if the previous treatments are either impossible or extremely unlikely to be helpful or if the cough is expected to go away on its own without the requirement of intervention.
What happens if you don’t treat it?
In most circumstances, a cough will go away on its own within a week or two of its onset. Coughing usually has no long-term consequences or symptoms.
A severe cough can sometimes lead to temporary difficulties, such as:
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Fractured ribs
These are extremely rare, and they usually go away once the cough goes away.
A cough that is a sign of something more serious is unlikely to go away on its own. If the illness is not treated, it may worsen and produce other symptoms.
What precautions may be taken to avoid getting a cough?
While coughing is required to clean the airways sometimes, there are strategies to avoid additional coughs.
Quit smoking
A persistent cough is frequently caused by smoking. It’s not easy to get rid of a smoker’s cough.
From devices to counselling groups and support networks, there is a range of options available to assist you in quitting smoking. You’ll be considerably less likely to suffer colds or develop a chronic cough once you quit smoking.
Dietary changes
People who ate diets strong in fruit, fibre, and flavonoids were less likely to have chronic respiratory symptoms like a cough, according to a 2004 study.
Your doctor may be able to advise you or send you to a dietician if you need assistance modifying your diet.
Medical conditions
To avoid coming into contact with germs, avoid somebody with a contagious condition such as bronchitis if at all possible.
Hands should be washed frequently, and utensils, towels, and pillows should not be shared.
Consult your doctor about alternate management techniques if you have any existing medical illnesses that enhance your chances of developing a cough, such as GERD or asthma. Once the illness is under control, your cough may go away or become considerably less common.