When we cough, it’s always a warning sign of possible problems we might have. Of course, many times it might not mean anything, but it’s still important to investigate if we have a constant cough. In today’s article, we’re going to talk a bit more about what this symptom could mean, when to treat it, and when it’s really a cause for concern. So if you want more information about this topic, check it out now! But first, it’s important for us to understand exactly what a cough is.
What Is a Cough?
A cough is nothing more than our body’s reaction to something affecting our throat area. When our body identifies that something is wrong, it tries to expel it through coughing. That’s why, for example, we cough when we inhale smoke. That’s also why, when we have an illness like the flu, cough is one of the main symptoms, since it’s a bacterial infection.
Types of Cough
As you may have noticed, cough is not a one-off phenomenon—that is, it can happen for several reasons, which means there are different types of cough. The main ones are:
- Irritative Cough
- Productive Cough
We are going to talk about each of these separately and show what the main differences are and how they act in our body.
Irritative Cough
Also known as dry cough, the main feature of an irritative cough is the absence of any kind of secretion. It usually produces a sensation of itchiness or tingling in the throat, especially if it’s a constant cough. Some main causes of this type of cough are illnesses like pneumonia, colds, or allergies.
Productive Cough
Unlike irritative cough, a cough with phlegm is the one that produces secretions—either mucus or phlegm. Depending on the illness, the type of secretion produced is different. Besides that, it can also be a progression from an irritative cough, indicating some kind of inflammation in the airways. Some main causes of this kind of cough are acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
What Can Constant Cough Mean?
If coughing is a respiratory system mechanism to try to get rid of possible problems that might be occurring, a constant cough could be a sign that something is wrong with that system. There are some risk factors that need to be taken into account when it comes to constant cough, such as:
- Smoking
- Respiratory allergies
- History of lung or respiratory diseases
These three factors are the most dangerous for someone to develop diseases that can cause a constant cough. Such diseases include:
- Tuberculosis: This is a disease caused by bacterial infection that directly affects the lungs, although in rarer cases other parts of the body can also be affected. Since it is a contagious disease, cough can be a factor that enables its transmission. Other symptoms include fever, body aches, and difficulty breathing.
- Pneumonia: Pneumonia is a disease characterized by lung inflammation that usually originates from a previous inflammation of these organs caused by viruses or bacteria. The cough may be dry or productive, and the disease may also present other symptoms such as fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
- Acute Bronchitis: Bronchitis is the inflammation of the airway passages of the lungs, called bronchi. The cough is usually productive, accompanied by other symptoms such as fever and chest pain. If not properly treated, bronchitis can turn into pneumonia.
Of course, constant cough may be a sign of other problems, but these are the most common and dangerous ones.
Treatment of Cough
Treatments for cough depend precisely on the underlying cause of the illness that is causing the constant cough. With an accurate diagnosis, a doctor may suggest different types of treatment that range from antibiotics to stronger medications, as well as rest and fluid intake.A doctor may prescribe different types of syrup for cough treatment itself. However, it’s important to know that this kind of medication is only meant to lessen the symptom, not to cure the illness itself. Therefore, it’s important to follow all medical recommendations so you can recover as quickly and effectively as possible.A cough can signal a range of health problems, especially respiratory ones, but not only those. And even though it’s quite common and a part of everyone’s life, it’s always important to be alert if you have a constant cough, as this could mean the beginning of a more serious disease. And especially in times when the whole world is experiencing changes due to respiratory problems, these concerns are becoming increasingly important for people. So, both to raise awareness and to reassure people, it’s important to better understand what a cough is.Check out also: Children’s Cough – Learn More About This Symptom
