Cough is a reflex that helps to clear the airways, but in some cases coughing may indicate a serious illness. Find out what types of cough are there, what are the causes of cough, and what treatment to treat coughs in children and adults.

Coughis a sudden movement of air being expelled from the airways, accompanied by a loud grunt. There are several types of cough - specialists distinguish, among others:

  • acute cough
  • chronic cough
  • allergic cough
  • cough caused by infection of the upper respiratory tract
  • productive cough otherwise wet cough
  • non-productive cough otherwise dry cough

The type of cough and treatment for coughusually depends on its cause. The causes of coughingin children (most often a cold or allergy) will be slightly different than in adults (such as COPD).

Contents:

  1. What is a cough?
  2. What is the difference between non-productive and productive coughs?
  3. Cough - causes of acute cough in adults
  4. Cough - causes of chronic cough in adults
  5. Cough - causes of acute cough in children
  6. Cough - causes of chronic cough in children
  7. Treatment of cough - what medications to use for cough in adults?
  8. Treatment of cough in children
  9. 2-in-1 dry and wet cough syrup

What is a cough?

Cough is a physiological unconditional reflex, one of the basic defense mechanisms of the respiratory system. The cough is triggered mainly by stimulation of the so-called cough points located in the bronchi, trachea, larynx and nasopharynx.

The cough reflexcan also be triggered by impulses from the lung tissue itself (pulmonary edema, pulmonary congestion), pleura (pleurisy, rib fracture), diaphragm, ear canal external or abdominal. In terms of the nature of the cough, there is a non-productive cough (dry cough) and a productive cough (the so-called wet cough, with productive cough).

What is the difference between non-productive and productive coughs?

Unproductive cough , not only is it unfavorable, it can also be dangerous (e.g. after a rib fracture or abdominal surgery). A dry cough can also cause the vessel to ruptureblood vessels in the altered mucosa of the respiratory tract, blood infusions in the conjunctiva or fainting.

In terms of duration, the following stands out:

  • acute, sudden cough(up to 3 weeks)
  • persistent cough(>3-8 weeks)
  • chronic cough(>8 weeks)

Productive coughis beneficial and even necessary - it allows the removal of contaminated, accumulated bronchial secretions. Failure to remove this secretion can lead to various types of complications.

There are times, however, that the effectiveness of the cough is insufficient - there is too little mucus or it is too thick and sticky, so even repeated repeated coughing reflexes cannot remove the secretion. Then you need a medication to thin the secretions and expectorants.

Cough - causes of acute cough in adults

There are many causes of coughing in adults, each with its own symptoms.

  • upper respiratory tract infection(including bronchitis) - runny nose, redness and swelling of the nasal mucosa, sore throat, general malaise
  • pneumonia(viral, bacterial, aspiration, rarely fungal) - manifested by fever, productive cough, shortness of breath, pleural pain. You can also hear a bronchial murmur
  • discharge of secretions from the nostrilsposterior nostrils down the back wall of the throat (in viral, bacterial infections, allergies) - accompanying symptoms are headache, throat pain, nausea, granular surface of the mucosa of the back wall throat, pale, puffiness and swelling of the nasal mucosa
  • exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease- in COPD patients there is a muted alveolar murmur (audible almost over the entire lung), wheezing, shortness of breath, exhaling through "laced" mouths , using additional respiratory muscles
  • foreign body in the throat- sudden onset of coughing without symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection or general symptoms
  • pulmonary embolismis manifested by a pleural chest pain (i.e. worsens at the peak of inhalation and disappears when you hold your breath), shortness of breath and tachycardia - an acceleration of the heart rate above 100 beats per minute
  • heart failure- it may be suggested by shortness of breath, crackling sounds while breathing, less tolerance of exercise

Cough - causes of chronic cough in adults

  • chronic bronchitismanifested by productive cough (wet, withcoughing up mucus) most days of the month, or for 3 months of the year for 2 consecutive years in patients diagnosed with COPD or who smoke. In addition, shortness of breath appears
  • drainage of secretions from the posterior nostrils(most often allergic-related) - headaches, sore throats, the aforementioned paving of the back of the throat, pallor, puffiness and swelling of the nasal mucosa
  • gastroesophageal reflux diseasemanifests as a burning pain in the chest or abdominal pain that worsens: eating certain foods, certain activities or positions. In addition, there is a sour taste in the mouth, especially after waking up, hoarseness, chronic cough at night or in the early morning
  • asthma- in this case, cough caused by various factors (e.g. allergens, low temperature, exercise). Sometimes accompanying symptoms are wheezing and shortness of breath
  • cough after a previous respiratory infection- is a dry cough that may persist for weeks or months after an acute respiratory infection
  • ACE inhibitors- may cause a dry, persistent cough that may appear several days or months after starting treatment with ACE inhibitors (this is a group of drugs used in the treatment of high blood pressure, heart disease)
  • whooping coughmanifests itself with repetitive bouts of five or more consecutive intense coughs in one exhalation followed by a hasty deep inhalation (known as whoop). In addition, there is a feeling of choking or vomiting. The whooping cough can last for several months. The first, catarrhal phase of whooping cough, at which the cough is dry, usually lasts no more than 1-2 weeks. This is followed by a phase of coughing attacks, usually lasting 2 to 4 weeks. In this phase, the cough is very intense, and coughing attacks occur several dozen times a day, intensifying at night. The cough becomes milder with time - during the recovery phase, its attacks are less frequent and less intense. However, it may persist for a very long time, even up to several weeks. Coughing attacks can be triggered by factors such as temperature changes and emotions.
  • epiglottis cancer- difficulties and pain occur when swallowing. However, the most characteristic is the feeling that something is stuck in the throat. In the advanced stage of the disease, there is a protracted cough, hoarseness,
  • tuberculosis - the most characteristic symptom is a persistent cough - initially dry, then withexpectoration of sputum (in the acute stage of the disease there is spitting with blood)

Cough - causes of acute cough in children

A child's coughis usually a symptom of an infection. Due to their lower immunity, small children often suffer from it, especially in the fall and winter season, and therefore they often cough. The common cold is not the only cause of coughing.

It is worth knowing that diseases that cause coughing in young children are often accompanied by characteristic sounds made while breathing.

Larynx is a sharp sound produced by the turbulence of air passing through the constricted respiratory structures of the throat.

The wheezing over the lungs is the high-pitched noise accompanying breathing, caused by a narrowing of the upper respiratory tract.

The reasons for coughing in children include:

  • bacterial tracheitis(rarely) - manifested by wheezing, dry cough, high fever, severe general condition, coughing up purulent discharge by the child
  • a foreign body in the throatmanifested by a sudden attack of coughing and choking
  • croup(laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis) is characterized by a dry cough (worsening at night), laryngeal wheezing, puffiness of the nostrils when breathing in, drawing in the intercostal spaces when inhaling, faster breathing
  • contact with toxic substancesfor the lungs, e.g. tobacco smoke, perfumes, air pollution
  • upper respiratory tract infection- manifested by runny nose, red and swollen nasal mucosa, sometimes with fever and sore throat, scattered enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes of the shot type (numerous, small non-painful nodules)
  • epiglottitis - there is paroxysmal cough, runny nose, rapid breathing, hoarse breathing, crackles over the lungs, drawing in the intercostal spaces when inhaling, bloating of the nostrils when breathing, sometimes vomiting after a cough attack
  • pneumonia(viral, bacterial) - viral is manifested by fever, drawing in the intercostal spaces when inhaling, coughing intermittent breaths or paroxysmal cough, and sometimes also muscle pains. In turn, bacterial pneumonia is characterized by wheezing, weakened breathing noise, drawing in the intercostal spaces when inhaling, fever, chest pain, sometimes stomach pain and vomiting

Cough - causes of chronic cough in children

  • asthma- periodic episodes of coughing occuron exertion, wheezing, weakened breathing sounds, drawing in the intercostal spaces when inhaling. Symptoms worsen when the weather changes. In addition, there are family history of asthma
  • foreign body in the throat- indicate sudden onset of coughing and choking, as well as prolonged coughing. Possible fever
  • tuberculosis- in most children it is asymptomatic, but in some cases unusual symptoms may appear, such as weight loss, development and growth retardation, fever, night sweats, chills
  • psychogenic coughis a persistent dry cough, often aggravating at school and resolving at play and at night
  • whooping cough(pertussis) - a runny nose and cough attack lasts for 1-2 weeks. The baby is often reluctant to eat. Infants may experience periods of apnea, and older children may experience loud breathing in at the end of a coughing attack, or vomiting after a coughing attack. Dry cough associated with whooping cough in children may persist for several weeks after other symptoms of the disease have disappeared.
  • consequences of respiratory tract infection- annoying periodic cough may persist in children after a respiratory tract infection
  • cystic fibrosis- meconium intestinal obstruction, recurrent pneumonia, lack of proper development and growth, rhinitis, fatty and odorous stools, finger stickiness or cyanosis of the nail beds
  • atypical pneumonia(mycoplasmas, chlamydia) - headaches, general malaise, muscle aches, sometimes earache, rhinitis and sore throat. Possible hoarse breathing and crackles over the lung fields. Persistent periodic cough
  • gastroesophageal reflux disease- infants and young children may choke after feeding, bend their neck and back, and cough when the child is lying on his back. In older children and adolescents, chest pain / burning sensation in the fovea after exercise and in the supine position, sometimes wheezing, hoarseness, nausea, food regurgitation
  • primary ciliary epithelial dyskinesia- repeated infections of the respiratory tract, frequent rhinitis
  • discharge from the posterior nostrils- the child has had a respiratory tract infection, followed by persistent intermittent cough
  • damage to the respiratory tract : - softening of the tracheal cartilages - there is laryngeal wheezing or a dry cough from birth, sometimes breathing difficulties - tracheo-esophageal fistula -cough or difficulty breathing while feeding, recurrent pneumonia

Treatment of cough - what medications to use for cough in adults?

The method of treating cough depends on its type and causes.

In the case of non-productive cough, which is usually tiring and troublesome (manifested by attacks and scratching in the throat), antitussive drugs are used that reduce the frequency and intensity of cough by inhibiting the cough reflex (e.g. codeine syrups).

At this time, it is worth using home remedies for coughing that will alleviate the dry cough, such as moisturizing the mucosa. This can be achieved by drinking plenty of fluids or keeping the air humid indoors.

In wet cough drugs are used to thin the secretion (mucolytics) and facilitate its expectoration, as well as anti-inflammatory, inhibiting the overproduction of thick secretion, and suppressing bronchospasm. Such drugs are available over the counter, but it is worth remembering not to use them at night - drugs increase the cough reflex, which makes it difficult to rest at night.

Home remedies for wet coughing include onion syrup, inhalations or patting, which works especially well with young children.

During wet cough, you should not use medications that inhibit the cough reflex, so as not to slow down the process of removing secretions from the respiratory tract.

If the cough continues and is accompanied by other symptoms of infection, such as fever, see a doctor. Sometimes it is necessary to prescribe an antibiotic to destroy the bacteria that develop in the secretions.

Coughing in pregnant womenrequires special treatment as most cough suppressants or cough-relieving medications are not allowed while waiting for a baby. Cough in pregnancy is better to treat with home remedies or medications prescribed by a doctor.

Treatment of cough in children

Children can use both dry cough medications and mucus-thinning medications. In the pharmacy you will find many preparations, mainly syrups with this effect.

It is worth remembering, however, that the safest for young children are plant syrups based on marshmallow, Icelandic lichen, plantain or common ivy.

It is better to avoid cough syrups which contain butamirate, dextromethorphan and codeine. These substances can be addictive and are not recommended for several-year-olds.

Drugs with butamirate are contraindicated in children under 2 years of age and those suffering from asthma, and in children under 3 years of age with dextromethorphan. In contrast, codeine is contraindicated for use in children below12 years old.

2-in-1 dry and wet cough syrup

In pharmacies you can find medications (mainly syrups) that are supposed to work on both dry and wet coughs at the same time.

However, if you take a closer look at the ingredients, you will notice that most of them contain either only expectorant substances or only antitussive compounds. So they should be used for one type of cough.

However, there are syrups that actually contain both expectorant and antitussive substances.

However, these are substances with opposite effects - one of them increases the secretion, and the other - inhibits the cough reflex, and thus prevents its removal from the respiratory tract.

Therefore, the use of 2-in-1 cough syrups is not recommended.

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About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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