what is a cough and what causes it

by Vikas Mittal Best Pulmonologist in West Delhi

What is a cough? — Cough is process which helps in clearing our airways (windpipes-the trachea and bronchi) and the lungs from harmful elements like dust and germs.

Coughing once in a while can be normal as it is a protective mechanism. But persistent cough is an indication of an illness.

Coughs can be "dry" if one is not bring up mucus/sputum (phlegm) or "wet" cough, if one donot bring up mucus/sputum.

What causes a cough? — Common causes of a cough include:

●An infection of the airways or lungs (such as the common cold/pneumonia or tuberculosis)

●Postnasal drip – when mucus from the nose drips down or flows along the back of the throat due to cold, allergies, infection of sinuses (sinuses are hollow areas in the bones of the face that open into the nose)

●Airways and Lungs diseases, like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – Both of these conditions can also make it hard to breathe. Asthma is due to allergy and COPD is due to smoking.

●Acid reflux – When the acid from stomach backs up into your esophagus (food pipe).

●Some blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors) side effect

●Cigarettes smoking

What can one do to get rid of my cough on your own? —

●Take steam inhalation

●Take an over-the-counter cough medicine, or suck on cough drops.

●If you smoke then stop smoking

●Avoid the things you are allergic to (like pollen, dust, animals, or mold),If you have allergies,

●If you have acid reflux- then stop aerated drinks, lemon, too much coffee or tea, spicy or oily food and avoid heavy meals before bed time.

When should we see a doctor and which doctor should be consulted? —It is best to consult a pulmonologist/Chest Physician/ Lung doctor

●If You have trouble breathing or noisy breathing (wheezing).

●If You have a fever or chest pain.

●If You cough up blood, or yellow or green mucus.

●If You cough so hard that it makes you vomit or unable to sleep or waking up once asleep.

●If Your cough gets worse or lasts longer than 10 days.

●If You have a cough and have lost weight.

Will the doctor do some tests? — To determine the cause of your cough, the pulmonologist will talk with you and do an exam. Based on your history and other factors, the pulmonologist might decide that you need tests, which might include:

●A chest X-ray

●Breathing tests (pulmonary function test/lung function test)– pulmonary function test/lung function test involves breathing hard into a tube. These tests tell us about the working condition of your the lungs.

●Allergy skin tests or blood tests

●A CT Chest or CT sinuses – A CT scan is an imaging test that gives pictures of the inside of the body.

●Sputum tests for tuberculosis or other infections

●Bronchoscopy: Using a "scope" to look inside your nose, airway, or lungs

●Tests to check for acid reflux

How is a cough treated?—Treatment depends on the cause. For example:

●Infections caused by bacteria need antibiotics. In Infections, caused by virus (such as the common cold) antibiotics will usually not help.

●Postnasal drip is treated with some pills or a nasal spray.

●Asthma and COPD are treated with medicines that people inhale into their lungs (Inhalers).

●Acid reflux is treated with tablets which reduce or block stomach acid (antacids).

●Cough as a side effect from BP medication will need change of your BP medicine.

Pulmonologist might prescribe syrups to make your cough less severe but the cough syrups are not the treatment of cough. The best pulmonologist will determine the cause of the cough by taking a detailed history in step wise manner and do appropriate tests and finally give treatment for the cause of cough which will relief you of your cough.

Dr. Vikas Mittal is Best Chest Specialist in Delhi