A cough is a common symptom that affects many people. It is a natural reflex that helps your body clear your airways from irritants, mucus, or infections. But what are the main causes of cough and how can you treat them?
Common causes of acute and subacute cough
Acute cough is a cough that lasts less than three weeks, while subacute cough lasts three to eight weeks. These types of cough are usually caused by viral infections, such as the common cold, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus infection or COVID-19. These infections can cause inflammation and irritation in your throat, nose, and lungs, leading to a cough that may be dry or productive (bringing up mucus).
Other possible causes of acute and subacute cough include:
- Inhaling an irritant, such as smoke, dust, chemicals, or a foreign object
- Pneumonia, which is an infection in one or both lungs
- Whooping cough, which is a bacterial infection that causes a severe cough with a whooping sound
- Bronchitis, which is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry air to your lungs
- Croup, which is an infection that causes a barking cough and difficulty breathing in young children
- Bronchiolitis, which is an infection that causes swelling and mucus in the small airways of the lungs in young children
Common causes of chronic and refractory cough
Chronic cough is a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks, while refractory cough is a chronic cough that does not respond to treatment. These types of cough may indicate an underlying condition that affects your respiratory system or other organs. Some of the possible causes of chronic and refractory cough include:
- Allergies, such as hay fever, which can cause postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of your throat) and trigger a cough
- Asthma, which is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of your airways, leading to wheezing and coughing
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a condition that causes stomach acid to flow back into your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach), irritating your throat and causing a cough
- Chronic sinusitis, which is a long-lasting inflammation of the sinuses (the cavities behind your nose and eyes) that can cause mucus buildup and postnasal drip
- Bronchiectasis, which is a chronic condition that causes abnormal widening of the bronchial tubes, impairing their ability to clear mucus and making you prone to infections and coughing
- Lung cancer, which is a malignant growth in your lungs that can cause symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, weight loss, and blood in your sputum (mucus you cough up)
- Heart failure, which is a condition that occurs when your heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, causing fluid buildup in your lungs and a chronic cough
- Medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are used to treat high blood pressure and can cause a dry cough as a side effect
- Neuromuscular diseases, such as myasthenia gravis or muscular dystrophy, which can weaken the muscles involved in swallowing and breathing, leading to aspiration (inhaling food or liquids into your lungs) and coughing
- Pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in your lung, causing symptoms such as sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing
- Sarcoidosis, which is an inflammatory disease that affects various organs, especially the lungs, causing granulomas (small lumps of immune cells) to form and interfere with normal function
- Tuberculosis, which is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs and can cause symptoms such as chronic coughing, fever, night sweats, and weight loss
How to treat a cough
The treatment for a cough depends on its cause and severity. Some general tips to help you relieve a cough include:
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and thin the mucus in your airways
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer to add moisture to the air and soothe your throat
- Avoid smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke or other irritants
- Suck on lozenges or hard candies to moisten your mouth and throat
- Use over-the-counter medications such as cough suppressants (to reduce the urge to cough) or expectorants (to loosen the mucus) as directed by your pharmacist or doctor
- Use honey or lemon juice mixed with warm water or tea to ease your throat irritation (do not give honey to children under one year of age)
- Use saline nasal sprays or rinses to clear your nasal passages and reduce postnasal drip
- Elevate your head with pillows when you sleep to prevent mucus from pooling in your throat
If your cough is caused by an underlying condition, you may need to take prescription medications or other treatments to manage it. For example, if you have asthma, you may need to use an inhaler to open your airways and prevent attacks. If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, you may need to take antacids or proton pump inhibitors to reduce the acid production in your stomach. If you have a bacterial infection, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, you may need to take antibiotics to kill the bacteria and clear the infection.
When to see a doctor for a cough
You should see a doctor for a cough if:
- It lasts longer than three weeks
- It is severe or interferes with your daily activities
- It is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, blood in your sputum, weight loss, or night sweats
- It is getting worse or not improving with home remedies
- You have a weakened immune system or a chronic condition that makes you more susceptible to complications
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding and are unsure about the safety of any medications
A cough can be a sign of a minor or serious
condition. Knowing the causes and treatments for a cough can help you take care
of yourself and seek medical attention when needed.
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