Cough: causes, symptoms, drugs, and how to treat it

Definition

What is cough?

Coughing is a body reflex that occurs when the respiratory tract or throat becomes irritated due to a bacterial or viral infection, or inhaled dirt and dust.

Coughing is one of the body's natural defenses to prevent dirty particles from entering the lungs. This reflex also helps clear the respiratory tract of irritants, such as smoke and mucus, thereby preventing inflammation.

When the throat is irritated, nerves in the brain stimulate the chest and stomach muscles to move to push air into the airways so that they can push these particles out of the body.

This condition is usually accompanied by several other health problems such as runny nose, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, and fever.

There are many factors that can trigger a cough, from pollution, respiratory infections, to daily habits such as smoking. This condition can be prevented by avoiding some of these risk factors.

How common is this condition?

This condition is common in many people. Anyone is at risk of experiencing a cough because of the factors that cause it to be common everyday, one of which is the flu.

However, that does not mean all types of coughs are dangerous. If it only happens occasionally, it is normal and healthy.

You need to be vigilant if this condition has lasted for weeks. This condition indicates a serious health problem and requires immediate medical attention.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms that accompany a cough?

Each disease that causes cough has different accompanying symptoms. Usually, how serious your condition is will depend on how long you have been experiencing coughs and other symptoms.

The American College of Chest Physicians divides cough types based on the length of time symptoms last, namely:

• Acute, lasting less than 2-3 weeks
• Subacute, lasting 3-8 weeks
• Chronic, lasting more than 8 weeks

Apart from the duration, you also need to pay attention to whether there are other symptoms that also appear. As mentioned by the American Lung Association, some of the following symptoms can also appear when you cough:

• Dry and itchy throat
• Fatigue
• Pain when swallowing
• Pain all over the body
• Shivering
• Body temperature rises to fever
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Night sweats
• Runny nose

Coughing can also be accompanied by phlegm. If not, a sore throat may indicate a dry cough. If you cough while bleeding, this is known as hemoptysis or coughing up blood.

When should I see a doctor?

A cough caused by a cold or flu will get better on its own. However, you should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Feel dizzy
• Bleeding
• Chest pain
• Cough continuously at night
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

If the aforementioned symptoms do not improve and the series of symptoms persists for three weeks, you need to consult a doctor immediately. The sooner you get treatment, the faster the chances of recovery.

Cause

What are the causes of cough?

It is very important for you to know the cause of the cough in order to know the appropriate treatment steps. Based on medical journals published by Breathe, here are each of the causes:

Causes of acute cough

1. Upper respiratory tract infections, such as flu
2. Allergy
3. Irritation due to pollutants (pollution, cigarette smoke, vehicle fumes and strong chemicals)

Causes of chronic cough

1. Asthma
2. GERD (stomach acid reflux)
3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
4. Lung cancer
5. Drug side effects, such as ACE inhibitor drugs for hypertension

To be able to determine the cause of the disease with certainty, a more complete medical examination and analysis of the medical history is needed. Therefore, do not hesitate to immediately consult a doctor so that you do not take the wrong treatment steps.

Risk factors

What puts me at risk for these symptoms?

Several things can make a person more at risk of developing this condition. These risk factors can come from the environment, genetics, and habits or daily lifestyle.

1. Pollution

Air contains irritants that can cause a dry and uncomfortable throat. Living or doing activities in a polluted environment can exacerbate this condition.

2. Allergies

People who have respiratory allergies are more at risk of developing this condition. Allergies are caused by exposure to various irritants or allergens that cause the immune system to overreact, causing a number of allergic reactions, including coughing.

3. Smoking

Active and passive smokers have a high risk of contracting a chronic cough. This is caused by cigarette smoke that is inhaled directly by the smoker itself and by people who are in an environment filled with cigarette smoke.

Diagnosis & Treatment

How to diagnose the disease that causes this condition?

In the early stages of the examination, your doctor may ask questions such as: how long you have been experiencing this condition, are there any associated signs and symptoms, and what conditions are worsening or relieving your symptoms.

Sometimes, the doctor will perform several further tests before determining a diagnosis, such as a sputum test, blood test, or chest x-ray.

It is important for you to stay active and take care of your health by providing accurate information and discussing with your doctor about your condition.

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat cough?

If this condition is caused by a mild viral infection, such as the flu, you will generally recover in less than a week. Several ways to cure a cough, such as getting plenty of rest and increasing your intake of fluids and vitamins, will make your condition better in less than a week.

Meanwhile, you can also overcome it by taking non-prescription cough medicine or over-the-counter (OTC). These medicines are easily available at pharmacies or supermarkets.

OTC drugs work to relieve coughs, thin phlegm, and clear respiratory tracts. Each medication usually also works to treat a certain type of cough. These drugs include:

Dry cough medicine:

• Suppressants or antitussives such as dextrometorpan
• Antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, loratadin,cetirizine, andlevocetirizine

Cough medicine with phlegm:

• Decongestants
• Expectorants, such as guaifenesin
• Mucolytics, such as bromhexine, ambroxol, acetylsisitein

Other drugs:

• Combined drugs with pain relievers
• Swabs, such as balm containing eucalyptus, camphor, and menthol

For children, it is important that you consult with your doctor before giving non-prescription drugs. The reason is, the active ingredients in non-prescription drugs can have dangerous side effects for children.

Apart from taking medications given by a doctor, treatment can also be taken in a more natural way. Many cough medicines made from natural ingredients are quite effective, such as a mixture of honey, tea, and lemon that is consumed regularly during symptoms.

According to the National Health Service (NHS) honey and lemon are more effective at relieving these symptoms than generic drugs because honey can protect the lining of the esophagus so that it is not easily irritated.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can treat this condition?

Here are lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you deal with a disease that triggers a cough:

• Adequate rest to improve the body's immune system so that it is resistant to viruses.
• Drink lots of fluids and drink to avoid dehydration.
• Avoid prohibited foods when coughing so that symptoms do not get worse.
• Avoid smoking.
• Avoid dirty and damp places. If forced to move in a place full of pollution, use a mask to protect the respiratory system.
• Keep the living environment clean to prevent the spread of disease.
• Wash your hands and clean yourself diligently. Keeping the body hygienic can ward off viruses and bacteria that cause coughs.
• Avoid direct or indirect contact with sufferers. Use different equipment with the sufferer.

If you have further questions, consult directly with your doctor to get the best solution to your health problem.