The obvious causes of coughing are colds, flu, bronchial infections, sinus congestion, smoking, and the need to rid the throat of foreign matter. But did you know that heartburn is one of the leading causes? For some unknown reason heartburn is the cause for about ten per cent of chronic coughers. Also, some drugs used for high blood pressure, have coughing as a side effect in 21 per cent of the people using them. Coughing is also a common symptom of asthma. The sound of your cough may indicate its cause.
• A barking cough – bronchitis or croup
• A high-pitched cough – your vocal cords are involved and the airways have become narrowed
• A wheezing cough – asthma and/or bronchitis
• A loud, gasping cough with difficulty getting air – whooping cough
Constant coughing can be a trying experience for you and annoying to those around you, but there are ways in which you can alleviate the problem.
• Breathe the steam from a vaporiser, hot shower, or pan of boiling water. The moist air will soothe the airways and loosen sinus congestion and phlegm in your throat and lungs. A few drops of the oil of eucalyptus will help this process.
• Elevate the head of your bed. This will allow your sinuses and nasal passages to drain better and not create that "tickle" in your throat.
• Stop smoking. Passive smoke or other irritants, such as chemicals, can be a cause. Household cleaners, new carpeting, panelling and mattresses are some of the many possible sources of chemical irritants.
• Drink at least eight eight glasses of water per day. This is especially important if your cough is due to an illness. Water is the best expectorant you can take and will help thin the mucus and loosen the cough.
• Try eating spicy foods. They will help loosen mucus.
• Drink hot tea to break up the mucus and open and moisten the airways.
• Avoid foods that increase the production of mucus, such as dairy products, meat and fried foods.
• Hot packs placed on your throat and chest are very soothing.
A dry cough will be raspy and without phlegm and may be due to smoking, asthma, dust, foreign matter, pollution, or come after a sore throat. Another cause of your dry cough could be a climate-controlled building. The heating and cooling systems dry the air and your respiratory membranes, too. Rapid temperature and humidity changes upon entering a building add to the problem. Chronic coughing, sneezing and a runny nose may be the result.
If you work in a climate-controlled building, avoid cold drinks and food as they interfere with your body's ability to maintain its optimal temperature. Instead drink hot liquids and eat warm foods. Cough drops or hard candy will help stop the tickle if you have a dry cough and will moisten the throat. If you have any of the following conditions along with your cough, see your doctor without delay because you may have an infection, or the cough may indicate the presence of a more serious health condition.
• Your cough doesn't get better after a few days. Coughing can lead to fractured ribs or a heart attack.
• You cough up blood or bloody mucus.
• Your mucus is yellow, brown or green and does not improve in a few days. This will indicate that you have an infection.
• If you cough for more than three days for no apparent reason.
Or, if you have:
• shortness of breath when you cough.
• sharp pains in your chest when you cough.
• a fever along with a persistent cough. This could be indicative of a serious respiratory illness. If you have a high fever and difficulty breathing you may have pneumonia.
• Chest pain
• Persistent chills
• Excessive night sweats
• Laryngitis and a persistent cough that lasts for more than three weeks.
• A skin rash, earache, pain in the teeth or sinuses, or a headache.