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Ask The Doctors: Post-infectious Cough Usually Treated With Home Remedies
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What Does My Type Of Cough Mean?
Coughing can involve an involuntary reflex that kicks in when your body attempts to remove irritants, or coughing can be done voluntarily. It can be a symptom of illness or due to an obstruction in the airway.
Coughing usually occurs because of an irritation in your throat or airway. When this occurs, the nervous system sends a message to your brainstem. Your brainstem responds by telling the muscles in your chest and abdomen to contract and expel a burst of air, producing a cough.
A cough protects your body from irritants such as:
Keep reading to learn about different types of coughs and the illnesses or conditions that may cause them.
Coughing is a common symptom of many types of medical conditions and illnesses. You may be able to determine the cause of your cough by its characteristics.
Coughs can be described by:
Sometimes, an obstruction in your airway may trigger your cough reflex. If you or your child has swallowed something that may be blocking the airway, seek immediate medical attention.
A wet cough is also referred to as a productive cough because it commonly involves bringing up mucus from the lungs.
If you are experiencing a wet cough, it may feel like there's an object in the back of your throat. It may also feel like something is dripping into your throat or chest. Some of your coughs may bring mucus up into your mouth.
The following conditions can cause a wet cough:
The duration of your cough may be a big clue as to its cause. Wet coughs can be acute, lasting for fewer than 3 weeks, or chronic, lasting more than 8 weeks in an adult.
Wet coughs are often accompanied by other symptoms such as:
Wet coughs sound wet because of the moisture present when mucus comes up from your respiratory system.
In situations where babies, toddlers, and children have wet coughs, the coughs are nearly always caused by either a cold or the flu.
Remedies for a wet coughIf your cough persists for more than 3 weeks, you may need to talk with a doctor about other treatments. A child's wet cough is considered chronic after 4 weeks.
A dry cough is a cough that doesn't cause any mucus to come up. It may feel like you have a tickle in your throat. This can trigger your cough reflex and cause hacking coughs.
Dry coughs can be challenging to manage, and they may turn into long coughing fits. Dry coughs typically occur when there is inflammation or irritation in the respiratory tract, but there isn't very much or any mucus to cough up.
Dry coughs can be caused by upper respiratory infections, including a cold or the flu.
Dry coughs may linger for several weeks or until a cold or the flu has run its course. Other potential causes of dry cough can include:
COVID-19 and dry coughA dry cough is a common symptom of COVID-19.
If you're sick and think you may have COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following:
Visit this resource page for more information about COVID-19.
Remedies for a dry coughRemedies for dry cough can depend on its cause.
If you have symptoms such as heartburn or pain in addition to a dry cough, you should speak with a doctor. You may need a prescription for antibiotics, asthma medications, or antacids, or you may need further testing to determine the cause of your cough. If you are taking any supplements or medications, make sure that you tell the doctor about them.
If a child's cough continues for longer than 2–3 weeks, speak with your doctor to determine possible causes. Your child may need a prescription for antibiotics, asthma medications, or antihistamines.
A paroxysmal cough is a cough that's characterized by intermittent attacks of violent, uncontrollable coughing. A paroxysmal cough feels exhausting and painful. People with a paroxysmal cough often experience difficulty breathing. They may even vomit.
Pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough, produces violent fits of coughing. This condition is caused by an atypical bacterial infection. A pertussis cough can turn into a paroxysmal cough during the second stage of the illness when coughing episodes occur more frequently, especially at night.
During whooping cough attacks, people may make a "whoop" sound as they cough. This happens when they release all the air from their lungs.
Babies have a higher risk of contracting whooping cough than adults, and they may experience serious complications from it. Whooping cough is very serious and may even be life threatening for babies.
For children ages 2 months and older, getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent contracting pertussis.
While whooping cough frequently causes paroxysmal cough, other possible causes include:
Remedies for a paroxysmal coughPeople of all ages need to have antibiotic medications to treat whooping cough.
Since whooping cough is extremely contagious, any family members or caregivers of someone who has whooping cough should also be treated. Treating whooping cough as early as possible will provide the best chance for a good outcome.
Other remedies for a paroxysmal cough include:
Croup is most commonly caused by a viral infection and occurs most often in children ages 5 and younger.
Croup causes the airway to swell and become irritated. Young children already have narrower airways, so when swelling further narrows the airway, it can become difficult for them to breathe.
Croup causes a distinctive "barking" cough that sounds similar to a seal. It also causes swelling in and around the voice box, which can lead to raspy breathing sounds or a raspy voice.
Because croup causes breathing difficulties, it can create a concerning situation for both children and parents. Children may:
In severe cases of croup, children's skin may become pale or bluish.
Remedies for a croup coughCroup usually passes on its own without treatment. Home remedies can include:
A doctor may also recommend using a nebulizer breathing treatment to help open the airway. In severe cases, a doctor may prescribe a steroid to reduce inflammation.
Often, coughs do not require a doctor's visit. Whether you need to see a doctor depends on what type of cough you have and how long you have had it, as well as your age and health.
Those who are living with certain lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, may need earlier or more frequent treatment.
Children who are experiencing a cough should see a pediatrician or another healthcare professional if they:
Adults who are experiencing a cough should see their doctor if they:
There are many types of coughs. The specific characteristics, severity, and duration of a cough may help pinpoint the cause. Coughing is a symptom of many illnesses and can be caused by a variety of conditions.
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