Cough: Causes, Treatment & How to Get Rid of It Fast?
Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of respiratory illnesses.
It is the body’s natural defence mechanism to clear irritants, mucus, or foreign substances from the airways. While an occasional cough is normal and necessary. A persistent or severe cough is the sign of an underlying condition & requires medical attention.
Whether it’s a dry cough that won’t quit. A chesty cough that sounds like a horror movie sound effect. Or a barking cough that makes you question your own humanity. There’s a reason behind it.
At Main Street Medical Centre, we know how a cough can mess with your sleep, your work, and your peace of mind. And our team of expert doctors can help you kick that annoying tickle to the curb.
Let’s understand it to deal with it better.
What Is Coughing?
Coughing as your body’s way of saying, “Hey, something is not right here.”
It is a reflex action that kicks out all the unwanted things from airways. Be it dust, allergens, mucus, and foreign particles.
It is controlled by the brainstem, which triggers a series of muscle contractions in response to irritation in the throat or lungs. This rapid expulsion of air helps remove irritants & reduces the risk of infections and breathing difficulties.
Always take it as a symptom rather than a disease in itself. Let’s understand the phenomenon of cough to determine the best treatment.
Physiological Process Behind Coughing
The coughing process involves a series of coordinated actions within the respiratory system:
1. Irritation Detection:
Sensory nerves in the throat, lungs, or airways detect an irritant (such as smoke, dust, mucus, or allergens).
2. Signal Transmission:
These nerves send a signal to the brainstem, which then initiates the cough reflex.
3. Airway Closure:
The vocal cords and glottis temporarily close, increasing pressure in the lungs.
4. Forceful Expulsion:
The diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract, forcing air out rapidly & clearing the irritant.
This protective mechanism prevents infections, maintains clear airways, and prevents aspiration. (inhaling food or fluids into the lungs).
Causes of Cough
A cough can be triggered by various factors. Let’s go through the most common ones.
1. Infections
Viral infections | Common colds, influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses cause a temporary cough. |
Bacterial infections | Pneumonia, pertussis (whooping cough), and bronchitis can lead to prolonged coughing. |
Post viral cough | After a respiratory infection, some people experience lingering coughing for weeks. |
2. Allergies and Irritants
- Pollen, dust mites, and mould can trigger allergic reactions, leading to persistent coughing.
- Smoke, air pollution, and strong odours can irritate the airways and cause a chronic cough.
3. Chronic Conditions
Asthma | Inflammation and narrowing of the airways cause coughing and wheezing. It’ll need dry cough medicine & inhaler. |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Conditions like chronic bronchitis result in chesty coughs with mucus production. |
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | Stomach acid irritating the throat can cause a persistent cough. |
The underlying cause is diagnosed via proper medical procedures. But initially it is identified through the characteristics of cough. Read on to find out more about it.
Types of Cough
Coughs can be classified based on their duration and characteristics:
1. Acute Cough (Lasts less than 3 weeks)
- Usually caused by viral or bacterial infections.
- Resolves with home treatment or medication.
2. Subacute Cough (Lasts 3 to 8 weeks)
- Follows a viral infection (post-viral cough).
- Can be due to lingering airway inflammation.
3. Chronic Cough (More than 8 weeks)
- Indicate underlying conditions such as asthma, GERD, or lung diseases.
- Requires medical evaluation for proper diagnosis and treatment.
4. Based on Mucus Production
- Dry Cough: No mucus production. caused by allergies, irritants, or viral infections.
- Chesty Cough (Wet Cough): Produces mucus, usually seen in infections and chronic lung conditions.
Coughing Sounds and Their Significance
The sound of a cough can also provide insights into its cause. The important sounds are:
Barking Cough | Caused by croup, a viral infection that causes swelling in airways. |
Whooping Cough | Characterised by a “whooping” sound, seen in pertussis infections. |
Wheezing Cough | Associated with asthma, bronchitis, or COPD. |
Cough with Ronchi | Snoring sound caused by obstructive lung diseases. |
What Does a Cough Tell You?
Remember that each cough is an alarm to talk about underlying damage.
- A persistent cough indicates chronic conditions like asthma or GERD.
- A night-time cough can be linked to postnasal drip or acid reflux.
- Cough with fever suggests an infection like pneumonia.
- The cough with mucus can be caused by sinusitis, bronchitis or rhinitis.
- Cough with black phlegm is the sign of tuberculosis, fungal infection & cancer.
- A dry persistent cough in kids without any obvious cause can be habit cough. Also called as “somatic cough syndrome”, it only relieves during sleep.
Now moving towards preventive measures.
How Can I Prevent Coughing?
To reduce the risk of coughing, consider these preventive measures:
- Stay hydrated to keep the throat moist and soothe irritation.
- Avoid smoking and pollutants to reduce airway inflammation.
- Manage allergies & use antihistamines if needed.
- Try to avoid allergens & other triggers (e.g. for asthma).
- Practise good hand hygiene to prevents infections that cause coughing.
- Stay one step ahead of flu and pneumonia & get vaccinated.
Cough Medicine
Several treatments are used to relieve coughing. Most common ones include:
- Suppressants like dextromethorphan can help reduce the urge to cough. Hence, used as a cough syrup for dry cough.
- Expectorants like guaifenesin help loosen mucus and clear the airways.
- Decongestants are used to clear a runny nose and relieve cough due to postnasal drip.
Remember to never exceed the recommended dose of the medicine and drink a lot of fluids while taking them. Consult a doctor before giving children any cough medicine.
Home Remedies for Cough
Wondering how to stop a constant cough in child? You need to try out natural remedies for coughing. They include:
Remedy | Benefit |
Honey | A natural cough suppressant with antibacterial properties |
Steam inhalation | Helps clear mucus and soothe irritated airways. |
Saltwater gargle | Reduces throat irritation and inflammation. |
Proper Rest | Your body heals best when it is well rested. |
But these remedies aren’t always functional. You’ll need to visit a professional when things get serious.
When to Contact a Medical Professional?
Seek medical attention if:
- Coughing lasts more than three weeks.
- Cough is accompanied by high fever or severe chest pain.
- You cough up blood or green/yellow mucus.
- Severe difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea) is caused by cough.
Concerned About a Persistent Cough?
Visit Main Street Medical Centre for Expert Care
The expert team at Main Street Medical Centre is here for you. Let’s figure out what’s behind your coughing and get you the best treatment for it.
Whether you need cough medicine. Advice on how to get rid of a cough. Or treatment/ management for an underlying condition. We are here to support your health with compassionate care.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best cough medicine for a dry cough?
Dextromethorphan-based cough syrups for dry cough can help suppress the coughing reflex.
2. How to stop a constant cough in a child?
Ensure hydration, use a humidifier, and consult a doctor before giving any cough medicine for kids.
3. Can allergies cause a persistent cough?
Yes, allergic reactions can lead to dry cough due to airway irritation.
4. Is a barking cough dangerous?
A barking cough in children can indicate croup, which is a serious condition requiring medical attention.
