A lot of things can make you cough:
An infection
An allergy
Asthma (see Asthma)
Tobacco smoke
Something stuck in your windpipe
Acid reflux from the stomach (see Heartburn)
Dry air
Certain medications (like some used to
treat high blood pressure)
A collapsed lung
Coughing can be a sign of many ailments. Your body uses coughing to clear your lungs
and airways. Coughing itself is not the problem. What causes the cough is the problem. There
are 3 kinds of coughs:
Productive - A cough that brings up mucus
or phlegm
Nonproductive - A cough
that is dry. It doesn't bring up any mucus.
Reflex - A cough that comes from a problem
somewhere else, like the ear or stomach
How to treat your cough depends on what kind it is, what caused it, and your other symptoms. Treat the cause and soothe the irritation. Stay away from smoking and secondhand smoke, especially when you have a cough. Smoke hurts your lungs and makes it harder for your body to fight infection.
Do you have any of these problems? Trouble breathing and not able to
say more than 4-5 words between breaths (a baby or small child may be unable to cry, eat,
or drink a bottle) Chest pain that travels to the neck, arm, or
jaw Sudden, severe pain in the chest wall
followed by a cough and breathlessness without pain Fainting Coughing up blood |
 |
| Does the cough occur in an infant or a young child with rapid
breathing, a fever of 102oF to 103oF, and does it sound like a
seal's bark? {Note: See Croup} |
 |
| Did the cough start suddenly and last an hour or more without
stopping? Or do wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing or swelling of the abdomen,
legs, and ankles accompany the cough? |
|
| If the person with the cough is an adult, is there a fever of 102oF
or higher? |
|
| Do you have any of these problems with the cough? Weight loss for no reason Feeling tired A lot of sweating at night |
|
| Does your chest hurt only when you cough and does the pain go away
when you sit up or lean forward? |
|
| Do you cough up something green, yellow, or bloody-colored, with
or without an odor? |
|
| Has the cough lasted more than 2 weeks without getting better? |
 |
For Coughs that Bring Up Mucus:
Drink plenty of liquids
such as water and fruit juice. These help loosen mucus and soothe a sore throat.
Use a "cool-mist" vaporizer,
especially in the bedroom. Put a humidifier on the furnace.
Take a shower. The steam can help thin the
mucus.
Ask your pharmacist for an over-the-counter
expectorant. Robitussin is one kind.
Stop smoking cigarettes, cigars, and/or
pipes. Stay away from places where people smoke.
For Coughs that are Dry:
Drink plenty of liquids. Hot drinks
like tea with lemon and honey soothe the throat.
Suck on cough drops or hard candy. (Don't
give these to children under age 5.)
Take an over-the-counter cough medicine
that has dextromethorphan, such as Robitussin-DM.
Try a decongestant if you have postnasal
drip.
Make your own cough medicine. Mix 1 part
lemon juice and 2 parts honey. (Don't give this to children less than 1 year old.)
Other Tips Include:
Don't give children under
age 5 small objects like paper clips, buttons, balloons, or foods like peanuts and
popcorn. A small child can easily get something caught in its throat or windpipe. Even
adults should be careful to chew and swallow foods slowly so they don't "go down the
wrong way."
Don't smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.
Stay away from chemical gases that can hurt
your lungs.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99