A
Cough is a sudden expulsion of air from the lungs. A
Cough
can be voluntary. However, it is usually an involuntary reflex response to
stimulation of the
Cough receptors in the airways. A
Cough is one
of the body's defense mechanisms. Its purpose is usually to clear secretions and
inhaled foreign substances from the lungs and respiratory tract.
There are two types of
Cough:
- Acute cough lasts for less than 3 weeks
- Chronic cough lasts for 3 weeks or more
Causes
An acute
Cough is usually caused by an infection such as a cold or
flu. In some cases, an acute
Coughcan be the sign of a more serious
condition, such as:
- Pneumonia
- Congestive heart failure
- Pulmonary embolus
- Aspiration of a foreign body
A chronic
Coughcan be caused by many factors. Common examples include:
- Smoking
- Repeated inhalation of environmental irritants, such as:
- Postnasal drip from:
- A cold
- Sinus problems
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Chronic lung disease, such as:
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Bronchiectasis
- Interstitial lung disease
- Medications, such as ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease
or condition.
The main risk factor for cough is being exposed to irritants, for example:
- Smoke
- Noxious fumes
- Air-born substances, such as:
Symptoms
A
cough may sometimes be worse upon arising and during the night.
Acute and chronic
cough are symptoms of an underlying condition or
disease. Usually, an acute
cough does not require medical attention.
However, a chronic
cough is a sign that you should seek medical care.
More serious symptoms associated with
cough that may require prompt
medical attention include:
- A cough brings up sputum that is:
- Bloody
- Extremely thick
- Yellowish or greenish in color
- A cough is accompanied by:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Unintentional weight loss
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a
physical exam.
Acute
Cough is usually diagnosed by its accompanying symptoms.
In the diagnosis and assessment of chronic
Cough your doctor will look
for symptoms that suggest an underlying cause. Tests may include:
- Chest x-rays
- CT scan of the chest a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make
pictures of the inside of the body, in this case the chest
- Analysis of a sputum sample
- Blood test to check for infection
- Skin tests if allergies are suspected
- Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) tests to measure lung function
- Bronchoscopy insertion of a long, thin instrument to collect samples
from the airways or lungs for further testing
Treatment
The best treatment for a
Cough is to treat the condition or disease
that is causing the
Cough . A cough can also be treated with medications
that either:
- Make the Cough more productive
- Suppress the Cough
To make a Cough more productive
A wet cough, which is a
Cough that produces sputum, is an important way
for your body to clear secretions from the airways. Wet coughs should not be
suppressed, but may need to be made more productive. They may be treated with
expectorant medications. These medications help thin bronchial secretions and
make them looser and easier to
Cough up.
Examples of expectorant drugs include:
- Iodide
- Guaifenesin (e.g., Robitussin)
Moisture therapy also helps make secretions looser and easier to
Cough
up. This therapy involves adding moisture to air with a steam vaporizer or
cool-mist humidifier.
To suppress a cough
Medications are used to suppress a
Cough when:
- It is a dry Cough (cough that does not produce sputum)
- It is a wet Cough that:
- Causes severe chest pains
- Interferes with sleep
- Causes marked discomfort
Examples of
Cough suppressants include:
- Syrups or lozenges
- Dextromethorphan (e.g., Robitussin Cough Suppressant, Vicks Cough Relief)
- Anesthetic throat sprays
- Narcotics such as codeine