It is difficult to find someone who has not had a cough at some point in their life. Sometimes a cough that comes with a minor cold will get better in two or three days. But there are some coughs that plague us for weeks and months. We can't sleep well at night, we can't do any work, and we cough continuously even when we talk. What exactly is this cough? Why do we cough? Is this a symptom of a serious illness? Today, we will talk about all of this.
Simply put, what is this 'cough'?
Coughing is not a disease. It is a natural defense mechanism in our body. Think about it, when something unwanted, like dirt or dust, gets stuck in our throat, airways (airways), or lungs, coughing is a signal from the brain to get it out. Just like when you get a hot pepper in the kitchen, you suddenly cough. So coughing is a good thing that our body uses to protect itself and heal itself.
There are several types of cough.
Yes, not all coughs are the same. Coughs can be classified based on how long they last, whether they produce mucus, and what they sound like. This chart will help you understand this more easily.
| How to classify coughs | Description |
|---|---|
| Duration | |
| Acute cough | It started suddenly and has been going on for about 2-3 weeks. This type of cough comes with things like the common cold and flu. |
| Subacute Cough | A cough that persists even after an infection has cleared. It can last from 3 to 8 weeks. |
| Chronic Cough | A cough that persists for more than 8 weeks should definitely be treated by a doctor. |
| Mucus | |
| Productive/Wet Cough | Coughing brings up mucus and phlegm. This cough occurs when the body tries to clear the mucus from the lungs. |
| Non-productive/Dry Cough | We call it a 'weak cough'. This doesn't produce mucus. It just feels like a tickle in the throat. |
| Sound and Condition | |
| Whooping Cough | This is caused by a bacterial infection called Pertussis . It gets its name from the 'whooping' sound it makes when you breathe. |
| Barking Cough | If it sounds like a dog barking, it could be a symptom of croup, a condition that causes swelling of the lining of the lungs. |
| Wheezing | If you make a whistling sound when you exhale, it means your airways are blocked. This is common in conditions like asthma . |
Who is more likely to develop a cough?
Although anyone can develop a cough, some people are at a higher risk.
- For those who smoke tobacco or other things
- For those who vape
- Those with chronic lung or nervous system diseases
- For those with allergies
- Young children , especially those who go to daycare centers and schools, are more likely to develop coughs because they are constantly exposed to illnesses.
What are the main causes of cough?
There is not just one cause of a cough, there can be many factors that contribute to it.
1. Environmental irritants and allergens
These are things that are bad for our respiratory system.
- Smoke (cigarettes, wood stoves)
- Strong odors (perfume, cleaning fluid)
- Mold
- Dust
- Pollen
- Animal fur
- Certain medications. For example, some ACE inhibitors, which are used to treat high blood pressure.
2. Conditions that cause short-term cough
- Common Cold
- Flu
- Acute Bronchitis
- Sinus infection `(Sinusitis)`
- Pneumonia
- Whooping cough (Pertussis)
3. Conditions that cause chronic cough
If you've had a cough for more than 8 weeks, it could be one of these reasons. So definitely see a doctor.
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Lung diseases such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Disorders of the throat and vocal cords
- Heart attacks and other heart diseases
What can you do to control and relieve a cough?
Coughs are treated by finding out what is causing them. If it is a bacterial infection, your doctor will give you antibiotics. However, most coughs are caused by viral infections, and antibiotics will not help .
There are a few simple things you can do at home:
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking water reduces dryness and irritation in the throat and provides relief from coughs.
- Steam inhalation: Steam inhalation from a bowl of hot water or taking a hot bath moistens the airways and helps loosen mucus so it can be expelled more easily.
- Honey: Drinking a teaspoon of honey in hot tea is a great way to relieve a sore throat and dry cough.
- Avoid smoking: If you are a smoker, the best thing you can do is to quit.
- Stay away from irritants: Stay away from things you know are bad for you, such as smells and dust.
Most importantly: Never give cough syrups purchased from pharmacies to children under 6 years of age without the approval of a doctor. They can cause side effects in children.
When should you see a doctor?
This is very important. A normal cough will go away in a few days. But if you or your child has any of the symptoms below, see a doctor immediately.
| Symptom | What to do |
|---|---|
| If you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor. | |
| Wheezing | See your family doctor as soon as possible. |
| Fever lasting more than two days | |
| Chills | |
| Thick, yellow, green, or bloody mucus discharge | |
| If you have these symptoms, go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately! | |
| Feeling like something is stuck in the throat | Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. This is an emergency. |
| Difficulty breathing | |
| Excessive bleeding when coughing | |
| Severe chest pain | |
Let's also learn about COVID-19 and cough
Cough is a major symptom of COVID-19. Also, even after recovery from COVID-19, a cough can persist for weeks or months as a 'post-COVID' condition (Long COVID). Along with this, other symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath may also occur. If you suspect you have COVID-19, get tested and follow your doctor's instructions.
Take-Home Message
- Coughing is a natural way for our body to protect itself. It is not always serious.
- There are several types of coughs. The main ones are dry cough, phlegmy cough, and persistent cough.
- Most coughs are caused by viral infections like the common cold, and they can be treated with plenty of fluids, steam inhalation, and rest.
- If your cough is accompanied by symptoms such as high fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or coughing up blood, it could be a serious condition. See a doctor immediately.
- If a cough lasts for more than 8 weeks, it is a chronic cough. Medical tests are needed to find the cause.
- Avoid giving cough syrups from the pharmacy, especially to young children, without medical advice.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What are Rosuvastatin (Rosuvastatin / Crestor) tablets used for?
This is the most powerful and successful 'High Cholesterol/Hyperlipidemia' (Statin) drug in the world! It is stronger and more potent than Atorvastatin. It reduces 'bad cholesterol (LDL)' by about 60% and prevents 100% of future heart attacks and strokes (Cardiovascular Events) (this is especially important for those with a family history of high cholesterol).
💬 How does this powerful cholesterol pill (Rosuvastatin) dissolve bad cholesterol when it enters our bodies?
No matter how careful we eat, some people's livers make a lot of cholesterol overnight. The main machine in the liver that makes cholesterol is called 'HMG-CoA Reductase'. As soon as this pill reaches our liver, it blocks/closes and locks that machine 100% (Enzyme Inhibition). When the machine is turned off, the liver has no other choice but to absorb and destroy the bad cholesterol in our blood.
💬 What are the 'fatal dangers' (black urine) to be aware of when taking this powerful cholesterol pill?
The most dangerous danger from this is 'Myopathy/Rhabdomyolysis'! If you have unbearable muscle pain, weakness, and dark urine, tell your doctor immediately, otherwise your kidneys may stop working and you may die (Asians are especially at risk! So they are given a very small dose/about 5mg). Also, this is forbidden for 'pregnant mothers' and those with 'liver disease'!
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