Cough

Definition of cough

Acute cough lasts less than 3 weeks and usually reflects a respiratory infection. Subacute cough, on the other hand, lasts a little longer (3 to 8 weeks) and chronic cough is one that lasts longer than 8 weeks. In addition, one can distinguish between two types of cough:

Dry cough (cough without phlegm, what is technically known as an unproductive cough)

Productive cough (cough with phlegm)

Cough symptoms

Depending on the cause, a cough can be accompanied by various symptoms. Among them are:

Fever, sputum, blood admixture, hoarseness, runny nose, pain, exhaustion, strong feeling of illness, tachypnea (increased breathing) and much more

Causes of cough

It is important to decide whether the cough is acute or chronic. Because depending on this, the cause can be derived.

A common cold often triggers a cough, which is usually acute and is accompanied by a slight fever, runny nose and sore throat. Other diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia and influenza can also lead to an acute cough.

Subacute cough is often the result of a past respiratory infection in which a dry cough persists even though the remaining symptoms have resolved.

Chronic cough is often accompanied by an overproduction of mucus in the nasal mucosa, which can usually be caused by allergies or sinusitis. Other chronic diseases can also include COPD (a chronic irreversible narrowing of the airways), asthma, reflux disease and drug-induced coughs (such as heart medication or painkillers).

cough in children

Asthma and the common cold are common triggers for coughs in children. Other triggers may include foreign body aspiration (swallowing foreign objects), pseudocroup, and lung disease.

Croup cough is a barking cough with narrowing of the airways that occurs mostly in children and can be associated with two diseases:

1. Croup: a viral inflammation of the airways with paroxysmal barking cough and hoarseness that is relieved by breathing moist, cold air.
2. Croup: a bacterial inflammation of the airways caused by diphtheria, which is very rare nowadays because of vaccinations.

When should I take my child to the doctor?

If your child has the following symptoms, you should consult a doctor:

• Difficulty breathing, rapid or noisy breathing
• Cough with colored sputum (yellow, green, or red)
• Fever
• Vomit
• If the cough has recently gotten worse
• If your child shows abnormal behavior

Diagnosis: How can a doctor determine the cause of the cough?

The distinction between harmless and severe cough is the focus of diagnostics. The following questions, among others, provide valuable information about the underlying disease:

• Is it an acute or chronic cough?
• Is the cough accompanied by sputum?
• Are there other symptoms such as fever, vomiting or pain?
• Do you have asthma, allergies or a previous infection?
• Are there any medications that you take regularly?
• Do you smoke?

Other diagnostic measures also include palpation and listening to the lungs, heart and abdomen, ruling out edema (water retention in body tissue) and in some cases X-rays and laboratory parameters.

When do I have to go to the doctor?

If the cough persists for a long time or there are other symptoms in addition to the cough, such as sputum, blood, vomiting, fever, pain, breathing difficulties (loud, fast or you find it difficult to breathe) you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Therapy for cough

Depending on the underlying cause, there are various measures that lead to improvement.

What helps against cough?

A cold cough usually heals on its own and does not require medication. In many cases, home remedies for cough can be used to relieve symptoms. A steam inhalation, for example, can relieve the cough:

• Fill a pot or bowl with hot water and place the container on a table.
• Sit in front of it and place a towel so that it covers your head and the container.
• Ideally, the water vapor can be collected under the towel.
• Please make sure you are far enough away from the hot water.
• Now you can breathe in the resulting vapors deeply through your mouth and nose.
• The steam inhalation should be done for 10 to 20 minutes.

There is no scientifically proven effect of homeopathic remedies or globules on coughs.

It is highly advisable for smokers to avoid smoking as tobacco promotes coughing and sputum production and increases susceptibility to colds.

Is there a drug therapy?

Over-the-counter cough drops and cough syrup can help against a dry cough when you have a cold or acute bronchitis. In addition, decongestant nasal sprays and nose drops can lead to a short-term improvement in nasal congestion. Painkillers should only be used in a controlled manner. Other therapeutic measures can also be used depending on the disease.

Here’s how Med-Healths can help with a cough

By having a detailed discussion with one of our Med-Healths doctors, you can narrow down the underlying cause of your symptoms in order to initiate a possible treatment plan, if no more detailed investigation is required. necessary is. Our Med-Healths doctor can also issue a prescription, disability certificate, or referral to a specialist.