Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Although it can be annoying, coughing helps your body heal or protect itself. Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than 2 to 3 weeks. Acute coughs are the kind you most often get with a cold, flu or acute bronchitis. Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks. Water can help ease your cough, whether you drink it or add it to the air with a steamy shower or vaporizer. If you have a cold or the flu, antihistamines may work better than non-prescription cough medicines. Children under 4 should not have cough medicine. For children over four, use caution and read labels carefully.
INTRODUCTION
Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Coughing helps your body heal and protect itself. A cough that happens once in a while is normal and healthy. But a cough that lasts for a long time could be a sign of an underlying health problem. This health information explains cough. It discusses common causes of the condition, as well as treatment options.
ANATOMY OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
When you breathe in, air goes through your mouth and nose into your windpipe. The windpipe is also called the trachea. From the trachea, the air we breathe goes into small tubes called bronchial tubes. The smallest bronchial tubes are called bronchioles. Mucus is a substance that lines the inside of your bronchial tubes. Mucus helps trap dirt from the air you breathe in. Mucus comes out when you cough. Small hairs called cilia protect the breathing tube and lungs. Cilia constantly push the mucus out of your lungs. If there is too much mucus, you cough it out. A cough is your body’s way of responding to irritants, such as dust or bacteria, in your throat and airways. When nerves in your throat come into contact with an irritant, the nerves send signals to your brain to cough. This causes the muscles of your abdomen and chest wall to give a strong push of air to your lungs to try to get the irritant out of your body.
SYMPTOMS
A cough that happens once in a while is normal and healthy. But you should contact your health care provider right away if you have a cough that lasts for several weeks. Seek medical help if your cough causes:
Choking.
Discolored or bloody mucus.
Shortness of breath.
Wheezing.
Complications of intense coughing that happens for a long time include:Broken ribs.
Fatigue.
Headaches.
Sleeplessness.
Urinary incontinence.
CAUSES
An occasional cough is normal. But a cough that lasts for a long time could be a sign of a health problem. Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than two to three weeks. Common causes of acute coughing include:
Choking.
The common cold or flu.
Inhaling an irritant.
Pneumonia.
Whooping cough.
Chronic coughs last longer than two to three weeks. Causes of chronic cough include:
Allergies.
Asthma.
Bronchitis or bronchiolitis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
Emphysema.
Chronic cough may also be caused by:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
Heart failure.
Lung cancer.
Other causes of chronic cough include:
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
Throat disorders, such as croup.
Tuberculosis.
Smoking may cause chronic coughing. Some medications may cause coughing.
DIAGNOSIS
You should contact your health care provider if your cough does not go away after several weeks or if it causes severe symptoms. Your health care provider will perform a physical exam. He or she will ask you about your symptoms and personal medical history. A cough could be caused by many different conditions. To diagnose the cause of your cough, your health care provider may perform certain tests, including:
Chest or sinus x-ray.
Lung function test.
pH probe, which measures the acid level of the fluid in your throat.
Your health care provider also may take a sample of mucus from your nose or throat. The sample will be tested for the presence of bacteria.
TREATMENT
Most coughs go away in a few days without treatment. To ease your cough, suck cough drops or hard candies. They may ease a dry cough and soothe an irritated throat. Do not give them to a child under the age of 3. They can cause choking. Liquid helps thin the mucus in your throat. Drink warm liquids to soothe your throat, such as:
Broth.
Tea.
Lemon juice and honey in warm water.
Moisturize the air. Use a vaporizer or take a hot, steamy shower. If you have a cold or the flu, antihistamines may work better than non-prescription cough medicines. Children under 4 should not have cough medicine. For children over 4, use caution and read labels carefully. Quitting smoking if you smoke can help prevent chronic coughing. To help stop the spread of germs when you cough:
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.
Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
Wash your hands often.
If you don't have a tissue, cough into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands. If your cough is caused by an underlying medical condition, treatment will depend on the condition. Your health care provider may prescribe:
Antibiotics.
Medicated cough drops.
SUMMARY
Coughing is a reflex that keeps your throat and airways clear. Coughing helps your body heal and protect itself. A cough that happens once in a while is normal and healthy. But a cough that lasts for a long time could be a sign of an underlying health problem. Seek medical help if your cough causes:
Choking.
Discolored or bloody mucus.
Shortness of breath.
Wheezing.
Complications of intense coughing that happens for a long time include:
Broken ribs.
Fatigue.
Headaches.
Sleeplessness.
Urinary incontinence.
Coughs can be either acute or chronic. Acute coughs begin suddenly and usually last no more than two to three weeks. Chronic coughs last longer than two to three weeks. To help stop the spread of germs when you cough:
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.
Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
Wash your hands often.
Most coughs go away in a few days without treatment. If your cough is caused by an underlying medical condition, treatment will depend on the condition.
