When our body feels some irritation in the respiratory system, it sends a cough impulse to our brain which sends the orders to the muscles of abdomen and diaphragm to give a powerful thrust of air to the lungs to push out the irritant. There are some individuals who cough to let go nervous tension.
Sometimes usual cough becomes chronic and keeps up for many days. It can be accompanied by cold that may be hindered in sleep. In order to escape the chronic condition, a doctor should be visited on time.
Types of Cough
There are mainly two types of cough which are further divided into various kinds.
Dry Cough
This is dry and scything in its nature. It can be caused by cold or dry air, viral infections, allergies from air pollutants such as dust, cigarette smoke and polluted fogs or fumes in the surrounding environment. Dry cough can be a sign of cold or flu. Sometimes, it is the indication of bronchitis.
Loose Productive Cough
The wet productive cough is the blockage or infection in the chest due to cold or influenza. The other diseases which are characterized with loose productive cough are pneumonia or bronchitis.
Major Causes of Cough
Respiratory area infections can be resulted in cough. These infections include tracheobronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis and tuberculosis. During severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cough can be worst.
When dry cough becomes chronic it may be caused by post-nasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux disease, post viral cough, asthma and ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) inhibitors.
Cough that result in the individuals who smoke frequently is called smoker’s cough. Air pollutants can be a cause of cough.
Sometimes cough can be triggered by dryness due to mouth breathing or continuous entrance of food particle into the windpipe. It usually founds in the people with swallowing difficulties.
Some problems of lungs can also be a cause of cough. These conditions involve; bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and sarcodosis. Malignant lung tumors can also trigger cough. Irritation of the nerve that is a disease of external auditory canal can also be resulted in cough. Some cardiovascular diseases like heart failure, pulmonary infraction and aortic aneurysm are also associated with cough.
Some people cough before delivering a speech or communicating to others. Cough may also result due to psychogenic reasons.
Signs of Dangerous Cough
If your cough lasts for more than 10 days or is escorted by the following signs, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
- You feel difficulty in swallowing the food or liquids
- Cough with thick, greenish-yellow sputum
- Traces of blood in the phlegm or sputum
- Stiffness in the neck
- Fever or sweating during night that stays for more than three days
- Feeling of pain in chest or shortness of breathing
- Itches or swelling of the throat
- High-pitched noises while inhaling the air
Cough Treatments
Usually two types of medications are used to treat coughs.
Expectorants
Expectorants are the kind of medication that is the most helpful during a wet and non productive cough. These help out the mucous to come out while chest congestion is not cleared with the cough.
Suppressants
Suppressants are used to smoother the cough impulse and you quit coughing. But it can be dangerous to suppress the productive cough by suppressants. These should be used at night to minimize coughing while sleeping.
Cough attacks you when there is a change in the season, if preventive measures are taken cough can be escaped. Don’t take the food from which you are allergic. Keep away yourself and your children from the person having cough.