Cough Illnesse |
INTRODUCTION - COUGH ILLNESSE
A cough, also known as tussis, is a voluntary or involuntary act that clears the throat and breathing passage of foreign particles, microbes, irritants, fluids, and mucus; it is a rapid expulsion of air from the lungs.
Coughing
can be done deliberately or as part of a reflex. Although coughing can be a
sign of a serious illness, more often, it will clear up on its own without the
need for medical attention. In this article, we will cover the possible causes,
diagnosis, and treatments for coughs. Fast facts on coughs
Here
are some key points about coughs. More detail and supporting information is in
the main article.
- Some germs use coughing to spread to new hosts.
- There is a wide array of potential causes of coughs.
- Some types of cough only occur at night.
- If the cough is difficult to diagnose, a chest X-ray
may be necessary.
- Home remedies can soothe the majority of coughs.
What is a cough?
Coughs have a range of possible causes.
There are three phases to
a cough:
1.
Inhalation
(breathing in).
2.
Increased
pressure in the throat and lungs with the vocal cords closed.
3.
An
explosive release of air when the vocal cords open, giving a cough its
characteristic sound.
If somebody coughs a lot, it can be a sign of a disease.
Many coughs are caused by infectious diseases, like the common cold, but there
are also non-infectious causes. We look at some potential causes in the next
section.
Causes
The majority of coughs are caused by viruses and clear up
without treatment.
Causes of acute (short-term) cough
In most cases, the infection is in the upper respiratory
tract and affects the throat, this is known as a URTI or URI (upper respiratory tract infection). Examples include:
1.
flu
2.
common
cold
3.
laryngitis
If it is an LRTI (lower respiratory tract infection), the
lungs are infected, and/or the airways lower down from the windpipe. Examples
include:
1.
bronchitis
2.
pneumonia
An acute cough can also be caused by hay fever.
Causes of chronic (long-term) cough
A chronic cough may be caused by:
1.
smoking
2.
mucus
dripping down the throat from the back of the nose (post nasal drip)
3.
GERD (gastro-esophageal
reflux disease)
4.
asthma
5.
some
medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors)
Chronic coughs in children are most often caused by asthma,
but can also be from conditions like post-nasal drip or GERD.
Less common causes of chronic cough in adults include TB (tuberculosis), fungal
infections of the lung, and lung cancer.
When to see a doctor
If a cough is severe, it should be assessed by a doctor.
If a cough has persisted for 3 weeks without improvement, it
is sensible to visit a doctor.
In most cases, there will not be anything serious underlying
the cough, but in rare cases, a long-term cough can be a sign of something that
needs treating, such as lung cancer or heart failure.
Other reasons to seek medical advice include:
1.
The
cough is getting worse.
2.
There
are swelling or lumps present in the neck region.
3.
Weight
loss.
4.
Severe
coughing.
5.
Difficulty
swallowing.
6.
Permanent
changes in the sound of the voice.
7.
Coughing
up blood.
8.
Difficulty
breathing.
9.
Chest
pain.
10.
Fevers that are not getting better.
Diagnosis
If a doctor decides that a cough is caused by the common
cold or flu, the general advice will be to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and
let it run its course. In the majority of cases, such coughs clear up after 1–2
weeks.
A cough caused by a viral infection that persists for more
than a couple of weeks will probably require medical attention.
The doctor may order some diagnostic tests, such as a chest
X-ray; a sample of phlegm may be sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine
what is causing the infection.
The patient may be asked to breathe in and out of a tube
attached to a machine; this helps the doctor determine whether the airways have
an obstruction (this test is called spirometry), which is common in asthma
or emphysema.
If asthma is diagnosed, the patient may be prescribed asthma
medication. Sometimes, a doctor might refer the patient to a lung or ear, nose,
and throat (ENT) specialist.
Treatments
Honey can relieve a cough in some cases. The best way to
treat a cough caused by a viral infection is to let the immune system deal with
it — generally, such coughs clear up on their own.
If a doctor is treating a cough, they will focus on the
cause; for example, if it is due to an ACE inhibitor, it may be discontinued.
Codeine, dextromethorphan, and other cough suppressants are
often used by people with coughs.
However, there is not much research into cough medicines and how much they
can actually reduce symptoms.
Home remedies
According to the National Health Service (NHS), United
Kingdom, a homemade remedy with honey and lemon is as good, if not better than most
over-the-counter (OTC) products sold in pharmacies.
Treatments are mostly aimed at making the patient feel a
little bit better but generally do not decrease the length of the cough.
Honey —
it coats the throat, resulting in less irritation and possibly less coughing.
Honey is a demulcent (something that soothes).
Cough medications — some may help associated symptoms, such as fever or
a stuffy nose. However, there is no compelling evidence that cough medicines
are effective in making the cough go away faster.
For small children, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor
before giving OTC cough medicine. Some ingredients in cough medicines, such as
codeine, can be dangerous for small children. There is no evidence that cough
medicines help children, and they can actually be dangerous due to the side
effects.
Cough suppressants — these suppress the cough reflex and are generally
only prescribed for a dry cough. Examples include pholcodine, dextromethorphan,
and antihistamines.
Expectorants — these help bring up mucus and other material from
the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. An example is guaifenesin (guaiphenesin), which
thins the mucus and also lubricates the irritated respiratory tract, helping to
drain the airways.
Takeaway
In summary, coughs can be annoying and uncomfortable but,
for the most part, they will clear up on their own. However, if a cough has
continued for some time or got worse, it is still important to speak with a
doctor.
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