Cough
What is a cough?
Triggers of coughing
Causes of coughing
Prevention / remedies / treatment for coughing
References
What is a cough?
A cough (tussis) is a throat-clearing reflex which helps clear substances that are irritating or blocking the breathing passages. Coughing is the body's way of removing secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes from the large breathing passages. The cough reflex is usually to clear a build-up of phlegm in the trachea. Mucous, food particles, irritation or a blockage in the lungs or upper airway passages can also be a trigger.
A cough has a distinctive sound. It can be dry and irritating (dry cough), or it may bring up mucus (productive cough).
Coughing can occur voluntarily or involuntarily. Frequent or chronic coughing usually indicates the presence of a disease. Coughing can have a sudden onset, or last for months or longer. Sometimes it can occur only at night, or only during the day.
With children, an occasional cough a few times a day is little cause for concern.
Triggers of coughing
- Choking / obstruction. Something (such as food or phlegm) stuck in the air passages if there is a sudden onset.
- Air pollution, dust or other airborne particles, fumes, irritant gases, and dampness in the home.
- Smoking.
- Weather or seasonal changes.
- Air conditioning.
Causes of coughing
- Allergies often cause a post nasal drip that irritates the throat and requires frequent clearing of mucous.
- Infection. The most common cause of a cough is a viral respiratory infection such as colds or flu. Bacterial infections such as whooping cough (bordetella pertussis) or tuberculosis are more serious. A dry, tickling non-productive cough often remains for a week or two after an infection has cleared.
- Asthma. Sometimes it occurs with wheezing, shortness of breath, and a tight feeling in the chest.
- Bronchitis. Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi, the airways that carry airflow from the trachea into the lungs.
- Pneumonia. Inflammation of the lung, usually caused by an infection.
- Pharmaceuticals. Prescribed medications such as ACE inhibitors can cause coughing.
- Stress. Some people, particularly children, have a habitual nervous cough.
- Acid reflux / heartburn / GERD. Sometimes, but not always accompanied by a sour vomit taste in the mouth or a feeling of acid reflux in the chest.
- Lung cancer. Increased risk with smoking and some forms of airborne toxins (asbestos, glass wool etc).
Prevention / remedies / treatment for coughing
Coughing is a protective reflex, so suppressing a cough is not always a good idea, particularly if the cough is productive (bringing up phlegm).
Cough suppressants such as codeine or dextromethorphan are frequently prescribed, but have been demonstrated to have little effect. (1)
- Apple cider vinegar.
- Honey and cinnamon.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- See details of remedies recommended by Grow Youthful visitors, and their experience with them.
References
1. Pavord ID, Chung KF.
Management of chronic cough.
April 2008; Lancet 371 (9621): 1375-84.