What is a cough?
![There is no cure for a cough and most go away on their own. They can be treated with at home with over-the-counter medications such as cough syrups, drops and decongestants. Home remedies such as drinking lemon and honey, vaporizers, and chest rubs can also help.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/night-time-cough.jpg?output-quality=75)
Acoughis a normal body function that helps protect thelungsfrom debris. It can be a symptom of many types of respiratory conditions, but often it is caused bycommon coldorfluvirusesandallergies. Mostcoughscan be treated at home with simplecoughremedies.
A cough is a spontaneous reflex. Your throat and airways have nerves that sense debris and irritants. When mucous, dust, chemicals, or germs enter your throat and airways, the nerves will sense them and you will automatically cough to get rid of them. This helps keep your lungs clear and healthy.
Symptoms of a cough
If you have a cough, you may experience:
- Tightness in the chest
- Chest pain
- Dry cough
- Wet cough, producingmucus
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
If you have a virus orallergies, you may also experience other symptoms, including:
A cough caused byallergiesor a virus may last up to three weeks. If your cough lasts longer, it may be considered achronic coughand may require medical attention.
Causes of cough
A cough is a normal reflex to keep your lungs clear. You may startcoughingif you inhale dust, chemicals, smoke, or air pollutants.
While occasional coughing can be normal, other, more serious conditions may cause coughing, including:
- Upper respiratory infectionfrom acoldor flu virus
- Pneumonia
- Allergies
- Smokingandsecondhand smoke
- Asthma
- 心failure
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorder,GERD
- Lung disease likeemphysemaor cystic fibrosis
- Lung cancer
- Some medications, such asACE inhibitors
Who can get a cough
Anyone can develop a cough when they are aroundsecondhand smoke, dust, or other chemicals. This a healthy response to protect the lungs and keep them clear of fluid and irritating substances. People with allergies may also develop a cough when they encounter allergens.
Anyone can also contract acommon coldor flu virus, which can produce a cough. People withasthmaor lung disease may experience worse coughing from a cold or flu virus than people with healthy lungs.
However, lung diseases are less common. Experts don’t know what causes all lung diseases, but some pollutants and chemicals likeasbestosand radon may lead to disease likeasthma,emphysema, orlung cancer. Some diseases like cystic fibrosis are genetic.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/calming-your-cough-s1-why-are-you-coughing.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
感冒和流感:找到快速缓解咳嗽See SlideshowTests for a cough
Coughs are common and can usually be treated at home with cough remedies. However, if your cough lasts longer than three weeks, you may need to visit your doctor.
Your doctor may take your personal and medical history and examine your throat, ears, sinuses, take your temperature, and listen toheartand lungs. They may ask you how long you’ve had the cough and about your symptoms.
Depending on your symptoms, they may perform more tests, including:
- Throat swab
- Chest or sinus X Ray
- Sputum culture, if you are coughing up mucus
- Lung function test
Treatment for a cough
There is no cure for a cough, but it can be treated. Most coughs go away on their own and can be managed with home cough remedies. These treatments may include:
Medications
To manage your cough at home, your can useover-the-counter从制药、药物包括:
- Cough medicines
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Cough drops or lozenges
Do not give cough medicines or cough drops to children under age four. Some people should not take cough medicines and decongestants. Make sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor may prescribe some medications, including:
- Bronchodilators
- Corticosteroidinhalers or pills
- Reflux medications
Home care and alternative cough remedies
If you are sick with a cold or flu virus, it is important to rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoiddehydration. Fluids may also help thin the mucus.
You may also be able to use other home cough remedies, including:
- Hot lemon and honey drink
- Vaporizer or steamy shower
- Saline drops or nasal spray to relievecongestion
- 一个柜子rub with peppermint or eucalyptus oil
Do not give honey to children under age one. Do not use peppermint or eucalyptus oil on or near the face of children under age six.
If you are not sick or you have allergies, you may need to make lifestyle adjustments like quittingsmokingor avoiding allergens and secondhand smoke.
Complications of a cough
Complications of a cough may include:
- A high-pitched sound when inhaling
- A sudden, violent cough
- A cough that lasts longer than three weeks
- Chest pain
- Highfever
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Difficultybreathing
If you develop these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
St. Luke's Hospital: "Cough."
Office on Women's Health: "Lung disease."
American Lung Association: "Diagnosis and Treating Cough."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Chest Cold (Acute Bronchitis).
Tisserand, R. Young, R. Essential Oil Safety Second Edition, Elsevier, 2014.
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