For most people, a cough is just a symptom of a cold. It keeps them up at night for a week or so and then gradually gets better. Usually, it’s not a reason for concern or alarm. As a rule, a cough is the body attempting to get rid of something that is irritating the breathing passages. It is part of your body’s defense system to keep the lungs clear of infections and viruses.
A cough can be triggered by an infection like cold, acute bronchitis, sinus infection, pneumonia, etc. Allergies, emphysema, asthma or chronic bronchitis can also cause coughing. Depending on what causes your cough, you will need to treat it differently.
An adult who has had a cough for 8 or more weeks, or a child who has had a cough for more than 4 weeks has a chronic cough. In chronic cases, you will need a long-term treatment process, while temporary cases are much easier to cure. Keep reading to discover when you should head to doctor and what you can do at home to relieve a persistent cough.
When to See a Doctor for a Cough
Sometimes the cause of a cough is simple and does not require any professional medical help. However, you should be aware of these signs that can lead to more serious conditions.
Here’s when you should see a doctor for your cough:
- You have a fever with your cough
- Your cough gets worse even as your other symptoms get better
- Your cough changes for the worse
- You are coughing up blood or pink
- Wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your ankles or feet
These symptoms could be signs of much more serious conditions. It’s important to get medical help for these symptoms before they get worse.
How to Find Relief at Home
The simplest reason for a cough is temporary obstruction of your respiratory pathways because of irritation, usually from a coating of mucous. Usually, a couple of coughs allows you to clear out the obstruction and restore normal breathing. In this case, the body fixes the problem itself without your help.
However, a severe cough should be treated seriously and you should make sure you take steps to care for it. You can use the following measures at home to relieve a cough and improve your wellness.
- Drink a lot of water or other soothing liquids. Drinking a lot can soothe any irritation in your throat and help thin and loosen mucous. We recommend tea, juice, and warm water. Consider adding some honey to hot water or tea. Honey helps soothe and relieve coughs. It can be as effective as a cough drop or cough syrup.
- Coughing often worsens at bedtime, making it difficult to get much needed rest. Try propping your head up using extra pillow or blankets. Dry air can irritate a cough, so use a humidifier in your bedroom to keep the air from becoming too dry.
- Use cough drops or cough medicine. These products are usually effective and can give you a much needed break from constant coughing. They soothe inflammation and reduce symptoms.
- Do not smoke. Smoking or breathing second hand smoke will aggravate and worsen a cough.
Common Causes of Chronic Coughs
If you cough persists for more than 8 weeks, you have a chronic cough. A cough that doesn’t go away is usually connected to a long term health condition. A medical professional can help you determine the reason it isn’t going away. Here are some common causes of chronic coughs:
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) – acid that flows back up the tube from your stomach to your throat can lead to long-term irritation and coughing
- Asthma – certain allergens or conditions can trigger a coughing fit from asthma
- Postnasal drip – your nose and sinuses make too much mucous which flows down the back of your throat, irritating your throat
- A serious lung condition
All of these conditions can be treated and managed, so consult with a doctor. You don’t have to put up with your cough any longer.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/cough/basics/when-to-see-doctor/sym-20050846
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-cough/symptoms-causes/syc-20351575
