Cough

Cough

Cough is a normal reflex, something automatic that was ‘put in place’ to ensure the vital function of the lungs is unimpeded.

There are numerous causes for cough, just as there are numerous irritants to our airways.

The commonest by far is a viral cough, induced by irritation of the upper airways and the resultant increase in phlegm produced. This does not represent a ‘chest infection’ as it affects the upper airways, that is the trachea and the first branches off the trachea toward the lungs. Honey and lemon is probably as effective as anything for this cough. Because we reflexively clear our airways of phlegm it is a difficult cough to treat, nor indeed should we try too hard to do so, as the purpose of the cough is to protect the lungs.

Don’t see this as something to cure, but as an essential protection until your cold or viral cough naturally resolves.

Reflux cough. Many of us cough as a result of acid spilling from our food pipe into our trachea at night. Sometimes reflux is obvious, we can wake with burning fluid in the mouth or waves of acid heartburn as we bend to garden or tie laces. Often it is silent and causes a cough or sore throats without an obvious reflux indicator. If you are overweight, or eat and drink late in the evening, consider such symptoms as possible reflux.

Wheeze. Asthmatics and some people with smoking related lung disease (COPD) wheeze at night. Both conditions cause cough, usually at night and on exercise. If you get wheeze and/or night or exercise induced cough, get a lung test done with us, treatment will usually resolve it and improve exercise performance.

Bronchiolitis. Is a condition of babies where a virus causes inflammation of the small airways. It gets better on its own but some babies have to to hospital for oxygen support whilst they recover.

Chest infection. A chest infection is actually a rare cause of cough. It is characterised by fever, feeling dreadful, muscle aches and importantly breathlessness. It is treated with antibiotics and severe cases are hospitalised.

Cancers. Coughs lasting longer than three weeks for which there is not an obvious cause such as an ongoing viral cold/cough, will need investigation. Cancers usually occur in smokers and often weight loss occurs with the cough. Blood in the sputum should always be investigated although it can occur with severe viral coughs.

Other causes. There are many rarer causes of cough, too numerous to mention.