A coughing attack is not a pleasant experience. You may feel as though you've been sucker-punched, and your throat and mouth will feel raw and sore. You may even experience pain in your chest or abdomen.

A coughing attack can be triggered by a variety of things, such as post-nasal drip, allergies, an infection like cystitis or bronchitis, or even some medications. Regardless of the cause, there are many things you can do to stop a coughing attack before it worsens.

This blog will explain what you can do to stop a coughing attack and how to cope with the discomfort of a coughing fit.

What is Coughing?

Coughing is a complicated mechanism, yet it's vital to our survival and well-being. It's the process of forcing air out of your lungs with a loud noise to cleanse your airways of irritants, foreign particles, and mucus. If your cough persists, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional for further assessment and guidance.

What Causes Sudden Cough Attacks?

Knowing the root reasons for coughing is significant. There are a variety of reasons for sudden coughing episodes. The most common causes are:

Allergies or asthma

These conditions can cause a dry, persistent cough that may be worse at night.

Sinus infections

Sinusitis occurs when the sinuses become inflamed and filled with mucus.

Respiratory tract infections

These infections affect your nose, throat, lungs, and bronchial tubes. They can cause a runny nose, sore throat, hoarseness, and fever. In some cases, they may also result in coughing fits and difficulty breathing properly.

Covid-19

Dry coughing is one of the most prevalent symptoms of COVID-19.

Besides coughing, those infected with COVID-19 may experience additional symptoms, such as a loss of taste or smell, high or low body temperature, difficulty breathing, and sore throat.

Types of Coughs

Coughing is a natural way of clearing the airways and removing unwanted material from them.

Coughing can be brought on by anything, such as a virus, but it can also indicate something more serious.

So it's helpful to know what causes each distinct kind of cough.

1. Wet Cough

A cough that causes the production of mucus is called a wet cough. It is a symptom commonly associated with the common cold, influenza, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, and pneumonia. While OTC medications and home treatments can help alleviate the symptoms of a wet cough, you should consult an online doctor if your cough persists for more than three weeks.

2. Dry Cough

A dry cough, in which no mucus is produced, can be caused by inflammation of the respiratory system due to allergies, GERD, irritants, or infections like COVID-19. Although most dry coughs clear up on their own, you should see a doctor if it's been accompanied by other symptoms like difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest discomfort, or a particularly high temperature.

3. Paroxysmal Cough

Coughing fits, or paroxysms, are uncontrollable bouts of coughing that can be extremely tiring and unpleasant. Causes include asthma, choking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Some bacterial infections may be managed with certain treatments, if deemed appropriate by a healthcare professional, in treating pertussis, medical treatment should be sought if symptoms persist after a week or two, or if there is shortness of breath, wheezing, chest discomfort, or a high temperature.

4. Croup Cough

Children under the age of five are most at risk for developing croup, a viral infection characterised by a barking cough, a hoarse voice, and squeaky breathing. It normally goes away on its own in less than a week, but if the symptoms increase, the cough persists for more than three weeks, or there is shortness of breath, wheezing, chest discomfort, or a high temperature, medical assistance is required. Treatment options may be discussed with the Healthcare Professional.

Ways to Prevent A Coughing Attack

There are several things you can do to prevent a coughing attack.

1. Keep your throat hydrated with plenty of water.
2. Eat foods high in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, berries, and vegetables.
3. Try a hot honey and lemon drink or hot water with honey and lemon drink to soothe the throat and cough.
4. Warm compresses applied to the chest can help soften mucus and make it easier to cough up and be expelled. Do this every time you feel a coughing fit coming on; it will help prevent it from getting worse!
5. If you know what triggers your cough, such as smoke or cold air, try to avoid those triggers.
6. If you have an underlying health condition, such as asthma or GERD, managing it properly can help prevent coughing attacks.
7. Use a humidifier. A humidifier helps alleviate coughing by adding moisture to the air. It works by creating a more humid environment, which can help ease dry and itchy throats.
8. Try cough drops. These medicated candies contain ingredients like honey, ginger and lemon that can help comfort sore throats and suppress coughing.
9. Use natural remedies like peppermint oil or ginger.
10. Try taking a steam bath.

Takeaway

Coughing fits can be overwhelming, especially if they hit in public. You don't know what to do, and that's okay! Coughing fits are unpredictable and tend to hit when you least expect them.

We're here to help.

Prime Medic is a telehealth service that can help with online medical certificates in Australia, helping you take time off work or school in case of a coughing fit. We provide fast and reliable services so that you can get back to your life as soon as possible.

At Prime Medic, you can also consult with a licensed healthcare provider remotely and request an online prescription or a medical certificate if clinically appropriate for your condition.