as respiratory disease With the number of infections surging this winter, one symptom many patients are hoping will go away is the dreaded cough.
“This time of year, many people suffer from mild coughs caused by colds, allergies, or sinus infections caused by postnasal drip,” says Dr. Whitney Hardy, a family physician at Ochsner Health. new orleans louisianahe told FOX News Digital.
One of the most common causes of a persistent cough is known as postnasal drip, which occurs when the nasal passages become clogged.
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This is often due to a viral infection or allergy triggersAccording to the American Lung Association website.
Eventually, nasal mucus drips into the back of your throat and you reflexively cough.
One of the most common causes of a persistent cough is known as postnasal drip, which occurs when the nasal passages become clogged. (St. Petersburg)
It's not always easy to know when to ask for a cough, as in some cases a cough can be very debilitating, but it can also resolve on its own without affecting your daily life. medical considerations.
Here's what experts need to know.
Why do we cough?
“Coughing is a natural reflex in response to excess moisture, foreign bodies, or objects in the lungs. Mucus-producing infections'' Hardy told FOX News Digital.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, when irritants tickle your throat and airways, they send a message to your brain that there's something in your body that shouldn't be there.
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The brain then sends a message to the chest muscles to cough to get the irritants out of the body.
It's natural for people to cough from time to time, but if symptoms become severe or last too long, they can irritate the lungs and cause more coughing.
Excessive coughing can cause the following symptoms: can not sleepdizziness, headaches, vomiting, fainting, chest pain, and even broken ribs can occur, the Mayo Clinic noted.
The Mayo Clinic noted that excessive coughing can cause sleep disturbances, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, fainting, chest pain, and even broken ribs. (St. Petersburg)
“This mechanism is important when there is an active infection and the need to remove pus and fluid that, if continued, can cause further damage to the lungs,” says Pacific Coast Partner Pulmonologist says Dr. Baljinder S. Sidhu, a sleep specialist.Critical care group southern californiahe told FOX News Digital.
“Prolonged cough is most often caused by inflammation of the lung mucosa with minimal triggers.”
What types of coughs are there?
According to the Mayo Clinic, a cough that lasts less than three weeks is known as an acute cough.
“Acute coughs are usually caused by viral or bacterial infections, such as influenza or pneumonia,” Hardy says.
“This type of cough can last up to three weeks even after the symptoms of the infection have subsided,” she added.
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“An acute cough is a dry cough that gets worse during the day, but almost completely stops at night.”
Lung irritants such as: smoke, dust, chemicals These are also common causes of acute cough.
Experts say subacute coughs last three to eight weeks and often occur after a prolonged respiratory infection.
According to the American Lung Association, if your cough persists for more than eight weeks, be sure to see your doctor, as a chest x-ray may be needed to diagnose the cause. (St. Petersburg)
According to the American Lung Association, a cough that lasts more than eight weeks is known as a chronic cough.
asthma, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Both blood pressure medications known as lisinopril can cause chronic cough.
Experts warn that some life-threatening conditions such as lung cancer and heart failure (where fluid from the heart backs up into the lungs) can also cause chronic cough.
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“Most coughs are related to recent illness. cold or viral illness It resolves on its own without any additional treatment,” Dr. Liz Husted, a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin, told Fox News Digital.
“Cough after a viral illness can usually last up to six weeks. No additional treatment is usually required.”
When does your cough bother you?
“A cough accompanied by shortness of breath or chest pain is always a concern,” Husted says.
“This is to be evaluated by a doctor immediately.”
The American Lung Association says on its website that if your cough persists for more than eight weeks, you should always see your doctor because a chest x-ray may be needed to diagnose the cause.
If you have symptoms such as a severe cough, fever, difficulty breathing, or wheezing, no matter how long the cough lasts, experts recommend seeing your doctor. (St. Petersburg)
No matter how long your cough lasts, experts recommend seeing your doctor if you have symptoms such as a severe cough, fever, difficulty breathing, or wheezing.
Sputum with pus (dark green discharge) or blood, chills, night sweats, weight loss Other red flags indicate the need for medical attention.
Should I use home remedies?
Experts say it is safe for adults to take over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines for acute cough unless the cough is accompanied by worrisome symptoms. (Please check with your doctor to be sure.)
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“these Over-the-counter drugs It’s usually a combination of several drugs, such as dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and Tylenol,” Sidhu said.
The doctor pointed out that dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that acts directly on cough receptors.
Experts say it's safe to take over-the-counter cough medicines for acute coughs, as long as the cough isn't accompanied by worrisome symptoms. (St. Petersburg)
Guaifenesin works by thinning mucus, making it easier to release mucus, leaving less irritants behind.
“Phenylephrine is a nasal decongestant that helps treat nasal congestion and postnasal drip,” Sidhu said.
Experts advise that before giving children cough medicines, parents and caregivers should first consult their pediatrician.
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Also, over-the-counter medications only treat the symptoms, not the underlying cause.
Previous studies have shown that they are no more effective than placebo drugs in treating coughs.
“To control persistent coughs, we recommend using a humidifier to keep enough moisture in the air around you,” Hardy added.
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