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Coughing removes irritating particles from the respiratory tract. The cough itself can have several causes, each causing a different type of cough: dry cough, phlegm cough and persistent cough. We discuss the causes and what you can do about them.
Causes of cough
Coughing occurs due to irritation of the respiratory tract. This can have different causes. This is often caused by a viral infection, such as a cold. But it can also be a bacterial infection. It can also be a side effect of certain medications, asthma, but also frequent throat clearing. In addition, it can be a reaction to chemicals, (cigarette) smoke, very cold or warm air, or due to stomach acid flowing back into the throat.
Coughing causes the body to remove unwanted or irritating substances from the throat, lungs, and airways. So it has a function and it is generally better not to suppress it. However, you can take several steps to relieve coughing.
Tickle cough
A dry cough is usually caused by a viral infection. It is also called a dry cough. Or a dry cough because (almost) no mucus is produced when coughing. Certain medications can also cause a dry cough as a side effect. This is the case with captopril, enalapril, fosinopril or lisinopril, among others. In this case, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you can switch to another medication.
If you suffer from a dry cough, it may be helpful to regularly oil your throat. For example, you can drink water or tea or take some honey. Sucking a licorice or a throat lozenge also brings temporary relief, but cough syrups and cough tablets do not help, according to Thuisarts.nl.
If you suffer from a severe dry cough, your doctor may prescribe the cough medicine noscapine. This medicine suppresses the urge to cough. Since mucus is no longer coughed up, it is not suitable for coughing up mucus.
Also read: Do you cough harder at the end of the day? For this reason
Coughing up mucus
Sometimes your cough is accompanied by mucus, causing you to suffer from mucous cough. This can be swallowed so that it is transported to the stomach. It may be helpful to drink something warm or steam with warm water. This allows the mucus to dissolve. Special cough medicines for expectorant coughs or expectorant drinks usually do not help. It is also better not to suppress the cough to allow mucus to leave the body.
Persistent cough
If (thick) mucus builds up in the airways and cannot be coughed up, it is a persistent cough. As a result, you may also experience difficulty breathing or a heavy feeling in your chest. It can be caused by a viral infection, but also by smoking, among other things. It may be helpful to sleep with an extra pillow or, if possible, raise the headboard slightly. This makes breathing easier.
Further measures against coughs
Clean air ensures that the respiratory tract is less irritated. Therefore, avoid areas with smoke or dirty air. If you smoke, stop smoking. Try not to clear your throat or as little as possible. This irritates your throat and causes you to cough again.
If you have a cold, you can keep your nose open with a nasal spray. This means you have to breathe less through your mouth and your mucous membranes stay moister. Dry mucous membranes can lead to increased coughing. Dust and dust mites can make the feeling of coughing worse. Therefore, try to keep the house as dust-free as possible.
When should you see a doctor if you have a cough?
Generally, the cough will go away on its own within about 3 weeks. If this does not happen or you feel unwell, please contact your doctor. Also do this if you feel short of breath or cough up blood or rusty brown mucus.
(Source: Thuisarts.nl, Moetiknaardedokter.nl, redactie.nl, Margriet,Gezondheidsplein, Arts en Zorg, Benu, Flualert.nl, Longfonds. Photo: Shutterstock)
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