What is it
Coughing is a natural reflex, such as sneezing and swallowing, and is the body’s response to irritation of the respiratory tract (pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs).
It is not a disease in itself, but it is certainly a sign of infection or inflammation.
A distinction must be made between:
| Type of cough | Features |
|---|---|
| Dry cough (non-productive) | Expresses an irritative state and often disturbs sleep |
| Productive cough | Characterized by the production of phlegm, even in large quantities |
Causes
The cough, which is supported and regulated by a real nervous circuit, can be favored or triggered not only by infections (bacterial or viral), but also by the inhalation of irritants (smoke, solvents, ammonia) or to which you are sensitized.
Sometimes, more simply, it is induced by the classic morsel (sometimes the same saliva) that goes sideways.
More severe forms of cough are those associated with heart failure and pharyngolaryngeal and bronchopulmonary neoplasms.
Finally, cough can also be a symptom of the exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. And in some it can also be psychosomatic in nature: the so-called hysterical cough, usually linked to anxious states.
Common symptoms
Generally, the cough is preceded by a fast and deep inspiration, on which the sound intensity depends, and manifests itself with a rapid and strong exhalation with a closed glottis: the air column thus compressed in the respiratory tree causes the abrupt opening of the glottis itself and, coming out, determines the characteristic vibration of the vocal cords.
It is important to observe the characteristics and the course of the cough: respiratory infections are usually preceded by dry cough, often insistent, which after a few days leads to the formation of phlegm.
On the other hand it is the mechanism through which the lower airways can be freed from mucus, produced in greater quantities in case of aggression by microorganisms or external factors.
A particular type in its own right is whooping cough: in this case it represents the effect on the central nervous system of a particular toxin, produced by the bacterium responsible for the disease (Bordetella pertussis) and is preceded by an unmistakable noise, assimilated to the donkey bray, due to a forced introduction of air into the respiratory tract.
The association of hoarseness allows to correlate cough to the presence of laryngitis.
Complications
Coughing can also cause complications, especially if it is particularly violent: laryngeal trauma, damage to the mucous membrane of the airways, muscle tears, bradycardia and cardiac arrhythmias, hemorrhages (especially subconjunctival and nasal), urinary incontinence, headache, insomnia, vomiting, syncope.
Treatment
First of all, it is always advisable to observe the trend of the cough, to understand if it tends to improve over time, if it appears or becomes more insistent at bedtime, or if it is always present, day and night, with the same intensity.
Medications must be used correctly. In particular, mucolytics are used in case of cough with phlegm, because they make it more fluid and favor its elimination; Sedatives, on the contrary, are suitable in the case of a dry and annoying cough.
Mucolytics can also be administered by aerosol. In this way they easily reach the small airways, where they carry out an effective mechanical cleaning action.
A useful recommendation is to drink a lot, both because the respiratory secretions are rich in liquids and because a good state of hydration is functional in making the catarrh more fluid.
In the cold season it is advisable to maintain an optimal degree of humidity in the heated rooms, i.e. between 50 and 60%. For this purpose, an electrical device capable of vaporizing the water, the so-called humidifier, can be installed.
If you want to know in detail the mucolytic drugs, read this sheet.
When to see your doctor
The doctor should be called in case of considerable difficulty in breathing, with sensation of breathlessness, significant swelling of the veins in the neck and accentuation of the intercostal spaces.
Better to call it even if the color of the skin and mucous membranes (especially lips and mouth) tends to become bluish from rosy. Or when the cough occurs in the context of an asthma attack .
He should also be contacted in the event of a noticeable worsening of the general conditions or if a feverish increase, even if slight, is punctually observed in the evening.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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