Coughs

Coughing is the body’s natural response mechanism to remove anything that is irritating your air passages. The thoracic cavity contracts suddenly and violently, causing air to be released from the lungs at some considerable speed.

Usually, coughs occurs because of phlegm that has built up in the trachea. But it can also be caused by irritants in the air, or by food entering the trachea instead of the esophagus, because the epiglottis has failed to do its job for whatever reason. Chronic persistent coughing suggests the presence of some disease or other problem and should be investigated by a medical professional.

If a patient has an otherwise healthy lifestyle, does not smoke and has no discernible chest problems, the cause of persistent coughing in the vast majority of cases is either heartburn or asthma. Other possible reasons for chronic coughing are bronchitis, or a reaction to medication. People can make themselves cough if they need to, in addition to the natural responsive coughing mechanism.

Persistent coughing, as well as being extremely irritating, can substantially deplete a person’s quality of life. Most doctors, when presented with a coughing patient, find that the cause is either asthma, post nasal drip, or a bad reaction to some medication they may be taking. Aspirin, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers are all known to cause persistent dry coughing in some patients. If someone suffers from a cough for more than a month, chances are that there may be several different causes for it, each of which must be treated if the patient is to get better.

Smokers are likely to develop an unpleasant, phlegmy cough, which often worsens for a period if they then manage to quit their habit.

There may sometimes be psychological factors behind coughing, such as nervousness or anxiety.

Coughs can be broadly split into two categories - acute coughing and chronic coughing. Acute coughing can be very dangerous, with a bad episode of violent coughs causing blood flow to the brain to be temporarily restricted and even causing a person to pass out. Insomnia, vomiting, and rupturing of the blood vessels in and around the eyes are other possible unpleasant effects of an acute coughing fit. Possible complications of this condition include hernia (both pelvic and abdominal), costochondritis and fracturing of the ribs.

Cough medicines vary depending on what kind of cough you have. Suppressants, or antitussives, are used to treat dry coughs. As their name implies, they help to suppress the body’s natural urge to cough. Phlegmy coughs are best treated with what are known as expectorants, which loosen the excess mucus in the respiratory tract. Some cough suppressants, like codeine, inhibit the sensory action of the central nervous system, thereby lessening the likelihood of the cough reflex. Other cough suppressants are known as ‘peripherally acting’, such as a local anaesthetic used to dull the nerves in the throat and upper respiratory system. Another targeted cough remedy is ointment containing camphor, such as Vicks VapoRub, which is an effective cough suppressant.

There is no evidence however, that cough remedies must line the patient’s throat in order to be effective, despite advertisement to the contrary.

Dark chocolate may also be a a good (and delicious) solution for a mild cough, due to its theobromine content. Theobromine is a substance naturally found in chocolate and other cocoa products, and is thought to be a more effective cough suppressant than some prescription medications, including codeine. As an added bonus, theobromine has no known side-effects.

Any medicinal or herbal remedy that stimulates or accelerates the expulsion of mucous by means of coughing is known as an expectorant. Expectoration being another term for coughing. Over-the-counter cough medicines often contain a substance called guaifenesin, which is a very effective expectorant, and often incorporate other ingredients designed to relieve the symptoms of the common cold, coughing being one of those typical symptoms. These other ingredients may include pain relievers (such as paracetamol), antihistamines and decongestants.

When a cough causes a sore throat, relief can be obtained from specially designed lozenges, often known as cough drops, which contain anaesthetic (often menthol) to lessen the chance of coughing. Types of lozenges include Strepsils, Halls, and Fisherman’s Friends.

Coughs