Cough

A cough is a human reflex and a natural defence of the body to irritants we encounter every day and one of the most common reasons for clinic visits. It is defined as an abrupt and forceful expulsion of air from the lungs. An occasional cough is normal, as it helps clear the airway from microbes, mucus, or dust. However, a persistent cough with accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath, excessive mucus production, and bloody phlegm signals a more serious medical problem.

A cough that persists for less than three weeks is an acute cough, while a cough lasting between 3 and eight weeks that improves by the end of that period is a subacute cough. A persistent cough that continues past eight weeks is a chronic cough. Most coughs clear within two weeks, but some red flags include blood in the phlegm and barking cough. If red flag symptoms occur, an immediate visit to the doctors’ clinic is advised.

Causes and Triggers

Cause and triggers of cough can be divided into two. Acute cough and Chronic cough

• Acute cough

  • Frequent colds/Runny nose and flu
  • Allergies and asthma
  • Inhalation of allergens or irritating substances
  • Postnasal drip or upper airway cough syndrome: it is a dry cough triggered by the recurrent dripping of mucus from the back fo the nose to the throat.
  • Heart Failure

• Chronic cough

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Is a general term for several chronic lung conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma.
  • Certain Types of Medications
  • Lung Cancer
  • Tuberculosis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic Lung Infections
  • Fungal Infections in the lungs

Symptoms

Coughing is often a sign or symptom of underlying diseases. It is crucial to determine the duration, types, and features of the cough as well as other symptoms that occur with it. Doing so will help medical practitioners determine the critical cause and treat it accordingly.

• Red Flags for Cough and warning signs to see a doctor
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Ongoing heartburn (feeling of burning pain or disorder in the chest)
  • Blood in the phlegm or in saliva
  • Fever or night sweats (can be a symptom of Tuberculosis)
  • Difficulty swallowing/cough when swallowing

Diagnosis

Doctors will need to listen to breath sounds and check the throat, evaluate the cough and interview the patient to take history. Vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pulse rate may be measured. Also, the oxygen saturation may be quantified using the pulse oximeter. The doctor may check the back of the throat and ears if it is suspected ear and throat infections. Heart and lungs will be auscultated with a stethoscope, and we will check if there is swelling of the legs or any changes in the colour of the skin. The following tests may be added based on the judgement of the physician.

• Chest X-ray or CT Scan: it uses a minimal amount of radiation to visualize the chest
• A complete blood count (CBC) will check for any forms of infection in the body
• Throat swab and sputum sample: it will confirm suspected viral or bacterial infection
• Spirometry, patients are asked to breathe out hard and fast into a small plastic device for measuring how well they breathe out air.
• Bronchoscopy, the doctors insert a flexible tube with a camera called bronchoscope to visualize the inside of the upper respiratory tract.

Treatment and Management

Self-Care and Lifestyle Support

Coughs can get very irritating; we totally understand! Even though it tends to disappear on its own most of the time, here are some tips that could make it bearable and help you to take care of yourself:

• Drink plenty of fluids: Consume water regularly to protect yourself from dehydration. Try not to use sweetened beverages or thick drinks, which can increase mucus.
• Honey and ginger combo: A small amount of honey in warm tea with ginger acts as an anaesthetic for a sore throat.
• Saltwater gargle: Gargling with warm salt water is a natural remedy for a scratchy throat and can help loosen up mucus.
• Sleep smarter: Elevate your head with an extra pillow or two when sleeping on it to prevent coughing in the night.
• Use a vaporiser: It's also an option for those who want to ease their throat and reduce the dry coughing sensation by humidifying the air.
• Cut out smoke: If quitting is not an option, at least try to limit the smoking and stay in a smoke-free environment. Smoking irritates symptoms and hinders healing.
• Stay away from irritants: Since dust, strong perfumes, or chemicals can make symptoms worse, try to avoid them if/when possible.

Stop the Spread

To ensure that you and your community stay healthy:

• Be sure always to wash your hands thoroughly.
• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose (by using your elbow or a tissue, or wearing a mask if necessary)
• Don't go to places where there are too many people if you are not feeling well.
• Don't greet people with handshakes if you're still feeling unwell.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If a cough is persistent, it disturbs your sleep, or other symptoms appear that may be indicative of a more serious condition (such as chest pain or shortness of breath), you need to consider talking to a healthcare professional.

• Your GP or pharmacist can check the situation and suggest the next steps.
• During the conversation, they may find out if the cause is allergies, reflux, or some other health disorder.
• Do not diagnose yourself; a cough that remains or gets worse may be a sign that there is something more than a cold.

However, a cough is your body's mechanism to keep the lungs clean; therefore, do not try to stop it by any means. On the contrary, comprehend the reason for it and get the right service from the qualified health professionals.