All about Coughs and their Causes

Cough is a reaction of the human body to clear the throat which may be obstructed by irritating substances. These substances   may be foreign particles, microbes, fluids, pollens or mucus which irritate the body cells. They prevent   clear passage of air from nose or mouth to the lungs during breathing. The result is the rapid expulsion of air from the lungs due to high pressure which manifests as Cough (also called Tussis). Cough may be voluntary or involuntary.

What causes Coughing?

Acute Cough lasts for durations less than three weeks. It occurs due to

• Infectious causes  like common cold and flu, sinus infections and respiratory infections including bronchitis and pneumonia
• Non-infectious reasons as existence of chronic ailments like asthma, emphysema and also because of allergic environmental factors.

Sub-Acute Cough lasts anywhere between three and eight weeks and improves subsequently.

Chronic Coughs are persistent episodes of cough that last for more than eight weeks. It is caused due to

• Throat Infections caused by sore throats including Laryngitis, Tonsillitis and Pharyngitis
• Throat Diseases resulting in damage of  vocal chords
• Post nasal drips where there is excessive mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose
• Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease(GERD)
• Asthma
• Certain medications like ACE inhibitors(ACE -Angiotensin Converting Enzyme)used for primarily treating hypertension and heart problems
• Severe ailments in adults like tuberculosis, fungal infection of lungs, oral cancer and lung cancer

When to seek medical attention?

Generally coughs subside on their own. But it is advisable to seek medical attention by consulting the ENT (Ear Nose Throat) Specialist if it lasts for more than three weeks.

It is also important to visit the ENT hospital for check-up if following symptoms prevail-

• Coughing increases or there is no relief in prevailing symptoms
• Swelling or lumps are seen in the neck area
• Weight loss is experienced
• There is difficulty in swallowing or in breathing
• Permanent changes  occur in the voice
• Chest pain or discomfort is experienced
• Bouts  of fever continue
• Blood is expelled when coughing

Cough Treatment

There are a variety of ways for treating cough based on its cause.

Home Remedies

• Keeping yourself well hydrated
• Doing hot salt water  gargling
• Using nose decongestant sprays or cough drops for soothening the throat
• Avoiding pollutants like smoke, dust or other allergic substances and alcohol
• Consuming natural antidotes  like ginger, honey with lemon, pepper and hot tea

Medications

• Coughs occurring due to bacterial infections need throat treatment with antibiotics. However antibiotics are not effective for viral infections which need symptomatic treatment.
• Expectorant cough syrups (for wet cough) and cough suppressants containing codeine (for dry cough) may be prescribed for reducing coughs.

Diagnostic Tests

• Additional tests like Chest X-Ray (to ensure lungs are clear) and mucus/phlegm analysis (for signs of tuberculosis) may be done if no evident cough causes are found.
• Rarely, if a heart disorder is suspected as the cause of cough, an Echocardiogram is done to investigate the possibility.
• For more complicated and persistent cases, CT scan may be recommended for in depth view of chest and airways and checking for possibility of cancer. Appropriate treatment follows thereof.
• Further, if CT scan results do not portray the cause, the patient may be referred to Gastroenterologist or Pulmonary Specialist for investigating evidence of GERD.

Prognosis

Coughs are uncomfortable and annoying ailments which usually resolve quickly with simple remedies and medications. However if symptoms persist, it is important to take ENT treatment through physician consultation.