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Personalised Cough Treatment

Receive tailored treatment plans designed for your needs. Our experts understand your symptoms and offer solutions that work for you. From advice to effective medication, we ensure you get relief and improve your quality of life.

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Our caring professionals are here for you any time you need them. Get answers to your questions, guidance on your treatment, and reassurance from a team committed to helping you feel your best, all online and stress-free.

Medically Reviewed

By

Chrysoula I. Liakou

MD, PhD, Internal Medicine Specialist and
Cancer Immunology Researcher.

What Is Cough?

A cough is a natural reflex that your body uses to clear your airways. It helps remove irritants like mucus, dust, smoke, or even food that has gone wrong. Coughing can be either voluntary, where you choose to cough or involuntary, like when it happens suddenly as a reflex. This reflex is essential for your body to protect your lungs and keep your breathing passages clean.

 

Coughs are often triggered when something irritates the nerve endings in your throat or lungs. This can happen because of non-infectious causes, like breathing in smoke or pollen, or infectious causes, such as bacteria or viruses. When these irritants are detected, your brain signals your body to expel them with a burst of air, which is the act of coughing.

 

Most coughs are not a cause for concern and will usually improve or disappear within two weeks. However, if a cough lasts longer than that or comes with severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or a “barking” sound, it’s essential to seek medical advice. Persistent coughs could indicate a more serious underlying condition.

Cough Causes

There are many reasons why someone might start coughing and understanding the causes can help you know when to seek treatment or medical advice. Coughing is a natural reflex that helps clear irritants from your airways, such as mucus, dust, or smoke and keeps your lungs safe.

Common Causes Of Cough:

  • Throat Irritants: Everyday irritants like smoke, dust, pollen, or strong smells can trigger a cough. This cough is usually mild but can worsen with continued exposure to irritants.

  • Viruses And Infections: Respiratory infections like the common cold, the flu, and bronchitis are significant causes of coughing. These coughs are usually short-term and disappear as your body fights off the infection. COVID-19 and other viral infections can lead to more severe or persistent coughs.

  • Asthma: Asthma is a common cause of coughing, especially in children. It often comes with wheezing and difficulty breathing. Asthmatic coughs need to be managed with inhalers or other medications.

  • Smoking: Smoking irritates the lungs and can lead to a chronic, harsh cough, often called a smoker’s cough. Quitting smoking is the best way to improve this type of cough.

  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD causes stomach acid to flow back into the throat, triggering a cough as a reflex to clear the irritation.

  • Medications: Certain medicines, such as ACE inhibitors used for high blood pressure, can cause coughing as a side effect. This usually stops once the drug is discontinued.

  • Other Conditions: Coughing can also be caused by more severe health issues like pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer, heart failure, or postnasal drip. In children, asthma and postnasal drip are common causes of persistent coughing.

Most coughs improve independently, but if a cough lasts more than two weeks, gets worse, or is accompanied by severe symptoms like difficulty breathing or coughing up blood, it’s important to see a healthcare professional.

Cough Symptoms

Cough symptoms can vary depending on the type of cough and its cause. Generally, coughs are grouped into two main categories: wet (productive) and dry (non-productive).

 

Wet (Productive) Cough

A wet, chesty, or productive cough occurs when your respiratory system produces mucus or phlegm. This cough helps clear mucus from your lungs and airways, which can be especially noticeable when you have a cold or the flu. Wet coughs may feel worse at night when lying down, as mucus can move to the back of your throat, making the coughing more frequent and bothersome.

Dry (Non-Productive) Cough

A dry cough doesn’t produce mucus and is often caused by irritation or inflammation in your throat or airways. It can feel tickly and may cause frequent coughing fits. Dry coughs are expected at the start of a respiratory infection and can also be triggered by allergies or environmental irritants like smoke or dust. This type of cough disrupts sleep, leaving you exhausted and affecting your daily activities.

Other Symptoms Accompanying A Cough

  • Runny Or Stuffy Nose: Often linked to colds or sinus congestion.

  • Postnasal Drip: A feeling of mucus dripping down the back of your throat, causing throat clearing.

  • Sore Throat And Hoarseness: Irritation from frequent coughing.

  • Wheezing And Shortness Of Breath: Common with asthma or lung issues.

  • Heartburn: Caused by acid reflux, which can also trigger coughing.

  • Coughing Up Blood: Rare but requires immediate medical attention.

Coughs can be acute, lasting less than three weeks, or chronic, lasting more than eight weeks. Chronic coughs can lead to fatigue and significantly impact your quality of life, so monitoring your symptoms and seeking help if needed is essential.

Cough Treatment

Treating a cough depends on its cause, but most coughs caused by viruses, like those from a cold or the flu, can be managed with simple home remedies and self-care.

Home Remedies

  1. Stay Hydrated: Drinking fluids, hot drinks like tea or broth, helps thin mucus and soothes the throat.

  2. Honey: A spoonful of honey can coat and soothe an irritated throat, reducing coughing. Remember, honey should never be given to children under one year old.

  3. Cough Drops: Sucking on cough drops or hard sweets can ease a dry cough and relieve throat irritation.

  4. Steam And Humidity: Using a cool-mist humidifier or taking a steamy shower can add moisture to the air, helping to relieve a dry or chesty cough.

  5. Gargle Salt Water: Gargling with warm salt water can help reduce throat inflammation and clear mucus.

  6. Elevate Your Head: Sleeping with your head propped up on extra pillows may make breathing easier and reduce nighttime coughing.

Medical Treatments

  • Cough Medicines: Over-the-counter (OTC) cough syrups and suppressants may help ease symptoms, but research suggests they aren’t always effective. Doctors might recommend suppressants like dextromethorphan for dry coughs, while expectorants like guaifenesin can help loosen mucus in chesty coughs.

  • Antibiotics: A doctor may prescribe antibiotics if a bacterial infection causes a cough. However, these won’t work for viral infections.

  • Treating Underlying Conditions: If your cough is due to asthma, GERD, or medication side effects, treatment will focus on managing those specific causes.

Always consult a doctor if your cough lasts over a few weeks, worsens, or has other serious symptoms like trouble breathing. For children, it’s best to speak with a doctor before using any cough medicines, as some ingredients can be unsafe.

Mobi Doctor can provide expert care and guidance for managing your cough. Our online consultations connect you with healthcare professionals who can recommend personalised treatments, from home remedies to the proper medication. Get the support you need conveniently from home!

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