Cough
Key points
- Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear.
- Don't expect a physician to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu.
- What to expect at your health care provider's office In emergency cases, the patient will be treated first to stabilize the condition.
- However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder.
Definition
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder.
Some coughs are dry, while others are "productive." A productive cough is one that brings up phlegm (also called sputum or mucus). Coughs can be either acute or chronic:
- Acute coughs usually begin suddenly. They are often due to a cold, flu, or sinus infection. Typically, they do not last longer than 2-3 weeks.
- Chronic coughs last longer than 2-3 weeks.
Common Causes
Besides cold and flu, other common causes of coughs include:
- Allergies and asthma
- Lung infections like pneumonia or acute bronchitis (may start suddenly but then linger on)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema or chronic bronchitis)
- Sinusitis leading to postnasal drip
- Smoking cigarette smoke and pollutants
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
If a child has a barking cough, see croup.
Home Care
- Cough lozenges or hard candy can help dry, tickling coughs. These should never be given to a child under 3 years old because of the risk of choking.
- A vaporizer or steamy shower may help a dry cough by increasing the humidity in the air.
- Drink extra fluids to help thin the secretions in your throat and make them easier to cough up.
- Zinc lozenges can reduce cold symptoms, especially cough.
Medications available without a prescription include:
- Guaifenesin (like Robitussin) can help you bring up phlegm. Drink lots of fluids if taking this medication.
- Cough suppressants like dextromethorphan (Vicks 44, Robitussin DM) may lessen your cough. Although coughing can be a troubling symptom, it is usually your body's way of healing the underlying condition. Therefore, you may not want to supress a cough unless it is interfering with sleep or other factors important for healing.
- Decongestants, like pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, can be used to clear a runny nose and postnasal drip. These should NOT be used if you have high blood pressure or for a child under 6 years old unless prescribed by your doctor.
Don't expect a physician to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Antibiotics also will not help coughs from allergies.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.